Archives

LONDON, Wednesday 27 (AFP) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday admitted they were on a "collision course" with Indian cricket authorities unless the situation involving batsman Virender Sehwag is resolved.

The ICC on Tuesday gave India until midday local time Friday (0630GMT) to confirm whether they intend to play Sehwag in Monday's First Test against England at Mohali.

Sehwag was one of six Indian players censured by English match referee Mike Denness following this month's second Test against South Africa, which led, ultimately, to Denness being withdrawn from the Test.

Now, the controvery has reached new heights with ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed admitting world cricket's governing body is set to lock horns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The ICC are insisting they will declare the match unofficial if Sehwag, who they maintain is banned following the second Test in South Africa, plays. England are likely to pull out if the 23-year-old Sehwag is on the Indian teamsheet and the Test is declared unofficial by the ICC.

That could well lead to the cancellation of the three Test series and a split in world cricket.

Denness initially sanctioned the six players following this month's second Test against South Africa.

Sehwag was given an immediate one-match ban for excessive appealing but so incensed were India by former England captain Denness's rulings, which included a fine and suspended ban against key batsman and national hero Sachin Tendular for ball-tampering, that they insisted he be withdrawn from the third Test.

South Africa, fearful of the economic cost of an Indian no-show, agreed but the ICC promptly stripped the match of its Test status.

Shaun Pollock's side won the match Tuesday by an innings and 73 runs with India contending that because Sehwag missed that game he is now eligible to face England.

However, the ICC insist he must miss an official Test to complete his ban.

Australian Speed was blunt about where the impasse left cricket.

"It's fair to say that the ICC and the BCCI are on a collision course and the consequences for world cricket are of great significance.

"At least the good thing about being on a collision course is to know that you're on it before you collide. We have some time up our sleeve and we'll use that as productively as possible," Speed told reporters at ICC headquarters here at Lord's.

"I think there's a direct challenge to the authority of the ICC as the governing body of the sport.

"If we had overturned the decisions of the referee, taken him out of the match or vacated the penalties, it would have been an invitation for that to happen the next time any board is unhappy at decisions.

"We've already cancelled the status of one Test match. I believe that's unprecedented and I don't want to see it happen again because every time we do that, we damage the game.

"It's hypothetical but if tours are cancelled, then the game loses.

"People who want to watch great cricket matches are deprived of the opportunity of doing that.

"Cricket boards that have entered into contracts with media outlets and sold tickets would lose revenue.

"There has been damage done already but cricket has come through a difficult time over the past 12 to 18 months with corruption inquiries and I'm sure it will come through this."

An ICC spokesman said earlier Tuesday that BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya had been asked "to confirm by midday Friday (Calcutta time, 0630GMT) the BCCI's final decision in respect of Virender Sehwag".

In an open letter Speed warned Dalmiya that uncertainty over Sehwag could lead to crowd trouble.

"If this issue is not resolved well ahead of the match, it is possible that it will take place at the start of the match in a highly charged and volatile environment that will exacerbate risk of injury," Speed wrote.

On Monday, Dalmiya insisted the Indian selectors were free to select whomsoever they chose.

His position was endorsed Tuesday by Chandu Borde, chairman of the five man selection panel.

"We will be selecting the team on merit," insisted Borde, who is due to announce the squad on Wednesday.

"As far as I am concerned he is available. There is no directive from the cricket control board. I am under no pressure at all because we are going to select players on merit.

"The issue as to whether he is available for selection is for the board and not the selection committee. We just select the players," said Borde.

England captain Nasser Hussain has tried hard not to be drawn into the controversy.

On Monday he told reporters in Jaipur: "We are a nation who play to ICC rules and if there is an official Test match in Mohali next week, we will be there and we'll be up for it," said the Madras-born batsman.

"And if its an unofficial Test? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager