Players not affected by controversy: Lele

BARODA, MAY 18. Cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele on Thursday claimed that the raging match-fixing controversy had not affected the morale of the Asia Cup probables, undergoing a conditioning camp in Pune for the May 28-June 7 tournament at Dhaka.

``The boys are doing well. The match-fixing controversy has not affected their morale. They are in good spirits,'' he told PTI. Meanwhile, the working committee meeting in Delhi is unlikely to produce the sparks anticipated by the media, according to board sources.

``A heavy agenda has been fixed for the meeting which includes performance-linked fees to the players, budget for establishing a national coaching academy and change in the format of some important domestic tournaments like the Ranji and Duleep trophies,'' the sources said. ``The super league phase in the Ranji Trophy may be done away with while the Duleep Trophy format is expected to be changed by turning it into a league as was the case some years ago,'' the sources revealed.

``Participation in the Duleep Trophy would also be made mandatory for all players and the international calendar would be arranged in such a way that they are all available to play in the inter- zonal event,'' the sources said.

``The start of the domestic season is likely to be pushed back a bit by starting it with the Irani Cup clash between the previous season's Ranji champions and the Rest of India in the second week of October instead of from October 1 as has been the practice over the last few years,'' the sources said.

``The meeting is also expected to review the recent meetings of the board officials with International Cricket Council president Jagmohan Dalmiya and the Sports Ministry,'' the sources added.

- PTI

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