Dalmiya maintains Test is official

By Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 26. ``The difference in opinion is whether the Centurion Test is official or unofficial. We are feeling that it is an official Test and he (Virender Sehwag) is eligible (for the first Test against England). We have to sort out things in a sporting manner. We are open (for explanation from the ICC) and hope to sort things amicably,'' said Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI President in a press conference, even as the Working Committee passed a resolution against `participation in any international match with Mr. Mike Denness as the ICC Referee' here on Monday.

Mr. Dalmiya said that the Working Committee was of the opinion that `the International Cricket Council (ICC) by turning down BCCI's request to replace Mr. Denness or to keep his decision in abeyance, the ICC has neither shown any consideration for the National sentiments in India nor had called the BCCI to explain its position.'

However, Mr. Dalmiya also maintained that the `ICC will never split. Its a parent body and a democratic body. We have adopted the resolution as per our understanding.''

According to the Working Committee, the third Test between Indian and South Africa was `official', considering the five-day match between the two member countries, the umpires and the ICC panel referee.

On the reports about the ICC penalising and even threatening to expel a member country, Mr. Dalmiya said, ``Unless I get authentic report, I can't comment.''

Apart from the issues pertaining to the third Test in South Africa, the BCCI also discussed the India under-19 team preparations for the next World Cup, preparation of fast and bouncy wickets, pace bowler's and spinners' wings, workshops for training of coaches, physical trainers, curators and groundsmen, and seminars on sport medicine and biomechanics among the other issues.

India should have played under protest: Muthiah

Meanwhile, Former President of the BCCI in India Mr. A.C. Muthiah has said in Chennai that India should have played the third Test against South Africa under protest instead of threatening to withdraw from the tour, which has led to the present situation.

``The punishment was undoubtedly harsh, but we could have played the Test under protest and asked an ICC committee to examine the veracity of match referee Mr. Mike Denness' decisions. That line of action would have prevented a confrontation with the ICC, the custodian of world cricket,'' said Mr. Muthiah, adding that it would have ensured greater credibility to India's stand.

In a press release on Monday, Mr. Muthiah emphasised that his intention was not to disparage the action of the BCCI President Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, though he opined that the latter should have brought to bear his experience as a former ICC President and a long-standing cricket administrator before taking a unilateral decision.

``What would be the position of BCCI if any two of its affiliated state units refused to play a Ranji Trophy match under a particular umpire? It is noteworthy that other senior BCCI members were not consulted before Mr. Dalmiya took the decision to announce the withdrawal,'' the former President added.

Mr. Muthiah also felt that the present confusion regarding Virender Sehwag playing the Mohali Test against England is without basis. ``The ICC rules are very clear on this issue,'' he said.

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