Hirwani, Yadav apologise to scribes

GWALIOR, MARCH 25. The fourth day's play in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match was held up for 38 minutes as local journalists, protesting the behaviour of two Madhya Pradesh cricketers-Narendra Hirwani and J. P. Yadav, squatted on the pitch demanding public apology from the erring players.

Both Gwalior District Cricket Association officials and Madhya Pradesh captain Chandrakant Pandit pleaded with the journalists to allow play to resume. Peace was restored when Hirwani, though reluctantly, and Yadav apologised for the incident.

Hirwani had a verbal confrontation with the scribes on Saturday while J. P. Yadav assaulted a journalist. Match-referee Mr. G. C. A. Verma said that he would mention the incident in his report to the Cricket Board (BCCI) under the ``remarks and unusual'' column. Mr. Verma, however, said that it was not for him to suggest any action against the players.

Umpire Mr. R. R. Singh said that in the Umpires' report the protest by journalists and the eventual delay of 38 minutes would be mentioned.

``There was a protest by journalists and the ground was not free to hold the match,'' Mr. Singh said when asked on what lines he would base his report on the delayed start.

``This (the protest by journalists) is a new experience. It shouldn't have happened and the matter should have been sorted out yesterday itself,'' Mr. Singh said.

- Our Sports Reporter

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Section  : Sport
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