Mumbai, April 10. (PTI): The Cricket Board's drastic measures of putting a cap on players' endorsements and scrapping the contracts system in the wake of the World Cup debacle on Monday found support from New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadlee, who said such steps would only help in building a strong Indian team.

"I applaud the guardians of the game in India for the stand they are taking in this most critical area," Hadlee said.

"Although there may be some bumps in the road ahead, if players decide to revolt against this new ruling it will open the way for the injection of youth and this will only be good for the future of the game in this country. And a strong India can only be good for the world of cricket," he wrote in his column for rediff.com.

"The biggest and most positive move has come in the attempt to address the whole complicated issues surrounding players' fees, pay cuts, bonuses and endorsements," he added.

The one-time world record holder for the number of Test wickets taken, Hadlee, however, wondered if the Board would be strong enough "To maintain this stance since Indian cricket is so closely tied up with the mighty power of corporate finances and sponsorship".

Hadlee also praised the BCCI for questioning the attitude and commitment of the players by saying that a similar experience during his career, while upsetting him, had also galvanised him to improve as a bowler.

"The attitude and commitment of players was also questioned. I fully approve of this. It happened during my career and that made me more determined; in fact although it annoyed me, it also inspired me to do better and prove a point," Hadlee said.

Agreeing that all the players were accountable and every cricketer should be challenged and asked to give more to the team in their careers instead of "just coasting along", Hadlee emphasised "the concept of the holy cow in Indian cricket needs to be abolished".

He also appreciated appointment of specialist coaches for bowling (Venkatesh Prasad) and fielding (Robin Singh).

Hadlee pointed out that this may be a radical concept in Indian cricket, but is already being followed by his country New Zealand and the all-powerful Australia.

He also come out in support of the BCCI's decision to restrict the players talking to the media, the move to appoint fully and handsomely paid but accountable selectors and the concept to have more 'A' team tours on a regular basis.

"It is only natural for senior players to resist the changes talented newcomers bring to the team as it may in fact be a challenge to their own positions and livelihood," Hadlee wrote.

He, however, expressed surprise why the decision that all players should undergo fitness tests before being considered for selection had not been taken earlier.

"I find it hard to believe the statement that minimum levels of fitness are to become a prerequisite for selection and can only question why this has not been a baseline criterion for selections in the past?"