BCCI refuses to accept ICC deadline

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, NOV. 28. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday categorically said that it would not declare the composition of the Indian team's playing XI for the Mohali Test by Friday as asked by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In a lengthy six-page letter to the ICC dealing with procedural lapses of Mr. Mike Denness, the match referee, who penalised six Indian cricketers for bringing disrepute to the game by their on- field actions, the Board president, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, wrote ``you have set a deadline for the BCCI (mid-day of November 30) to let you know whether Virender Sehwag would be included in the first eleven before the start of the match. If you go strictly by the rules, Clause C-10 (viii) of the Players and Team Officials' Code of Conduct, specifically forbids disclosure of the composition of the teams and pronounces appropriate penalties.''

``By asking me to comment on the playing eleven within November 30 (two days before the start of the match), are you implying that both you and I are immune to the said Code of Conduct? You will appreciate that as a result of such prediction, both you and I can be subjected to inquiries by the anti- corruption unit, including whether there are any financial implications to it. I am sorry that I cannot take a chance in the matter and it is impossible for me or my Board to comment whether Sehwag will be in the playing eleven or not before the morning of the match,'' he said.

The BCCI president suggested, ``under the circumstances, there can be two ways of looking at the situation. One is to sit down, discuss and to find a solution and avert the crisis. The other is to go strictly by the letter of the rules and not in accordance with the spirit of the game. If, however, the first approach is taken, the crisis can be diffused in a respectable manner to all concerned.''

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Section  : Sport
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