Relations with India ‘excellent’ says ICC

Relations between the International Cricket Council and Indian cricket chiefs are “excellent” according to the global governing body, despite a fresh World Cup spat with the co-hosts.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was shocked by the reprieve given to Ian Bell when it appeared the England batsman was out lbw on review during last Sunday’s tied match, describing it as an “adulteration” of technology.

Dave Richardson, the ICC’s general manager, was reported as saying that if Dhoni fully understood the rules he would have accepted the decision.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N. Srinivasan wrote to ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, expressing “strong objection” at Richardson’s remarks.

The letter added: “The Indian captain only highlighted the inadequacy of the system and rightly so. It was there for the world to see.”

But Lorgat said the news channel that had reported Richardson’s comments had been inaccurate and Richardson had not criticised Dhoni in such a way.

As for the controversy over the Bell decision, Lorgat said: “It is a pretty obvious scenario whether the umpire gives you out with or without DRS (the Umpire Decision Review System). It’s a judgement call of the umpire there.

“All players that I know accept the decision of the umpire. I was a player once upon a time and I can tell you many decisions I thought I was not out.”

“We musn’t forget the fundamental purpose of DRS is to avoid a clear mistake,” the South African added.

The ICC and the BCCI were already at loggerheads following delays in getting World Cup stadiums ready and ticket chaos.

But Lorgat insisted: “We share an excellent relationship with the BCCI. We have to accept that there will be differences of opinion from time to time. We are mature enough to work through those.”

CHENNAI, India, Sunday AFP