COUNCIL’S REASONS

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32302, 21 May 1970, Page 11

COUNCIL’S REASONS

Part of the Cricket Council’s statement said: ‘The council has decided by a substantial majority that this tour should proceed as! arranged. It has always believed that cricket in South; Africa should be given the! longest possible time to bring about conditions in which all cricketers in their own country regardless of their] origin, are able to play and be selected on equal terms. ‘The South African Cricket Association have taken the first step by announcing that all future touring teams will be selected on merit. “The council have con-! firmed the present tour in the hope and belief that this intention will be capable of fulfilment in the future. “It is for this reason that the council, while confirming finally their invitation to the South African Cricket Association to tour this summer, wish to make clear their position regarding the future.

"They have informed the! South African Cricket Asso-I , ciation that no further test: . tours between South Africa: ?and this country will take ’ place until teams are selected ! on a multi-racial basis. ,! Tn reviewing ilieir original to confirm the invij tation to the South African ( j Cricket Association, the council had to consider whether I the desirability—so often re--1 peated—of maintaining con- . tact with South Africa had in ‘ any way changed. i “It was agreed that in the I long term this policy was in the best interests of cricket, and cricketers of all races in ' South Africa.” The top cricket body said f'that it was aware that the tour now faced massive t demonstrations from a variety ; of groups. : It said, “However distaste- - ful to this minority group, the , South African tour this sum- • mer is not only a lawful event, but as shown by the

: outcome of recent opinion [polls, it is clearly the wish lof the majority that the tour should take place.”