UPDATE 1-Cricket-Windies players to boycott Bangladesh series

*Players to boycott series

*Dispute over contracts and payments

*WICB to make statement (adds details)

By Simon Evans

MIAMI, July 7 (Reuters) - West Indies players are to boycott the test series against Bangladesh due to start on Thursday, the Caribbean team's players' union said in a statement on Tuesday.

The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) said it had attempted to hold talks with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to resolve a number of issues but that no meeting had been held.

"The players have requested me as President of WIPA, the players' body, to inform the WICB, sponsors and the public that, regretfully, they cannot with immediate effect continue playing without any contracts with the WICB," said WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine in a statement.

A WICB spokesman said they would make a statement later on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether the board intended to try to find an alternative squad for the series which begins with the first test in St.Vincent on Thursday or if they will be forced to withdraw.