Cricket changes undecided

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 30

Cricket changes undecided

If any changes are to be made to the announced cycle of cricket tours in the next 12 months they will not be confirmed until the International Cricket Conference meets in London late next month. A statement released after discussions between members of the New Zealand Cricket Council’s board of control and two representatives of the I.C.C. in Christchurch yesterday described the talks as “preliminary” and said that final decisions would be made in England.

The agenda topics were not disclosed but there has been widespread speculation that the tours cycle may be altered because of negotiations between administrators of “establishment” and “world series” cricket in Australia in the last few weeks. The statement, issued by Mr R. A. Vance, the chairman of the board of control, confirmed that New Zealand officials had conferred with Messrs D. G. Clark and J. A. Bailey, respectively the past chairman and secretary of the I.C.C.

“Matters affecting New Zealand cricket and the future of the worldwide cricket scene were discussed in the light of facts emerging from the recent I.C.C. visit to Australia,” said the statement. “The I.C.C, officials departed last evening to visit members of the West Indies Cricket Board in Trinidad, where it is expected that similar discussions will take place. “The I.C.C. chairman (Mr C. H. Palmer) is on his way to India and Pakistan for simi-

lar talks with the respective boards. All these talks are seen as being preliminary to a meeting of the I.C.C. in London at the end of June, when it is expected that final decisions will be taken.” Present arrangements are for the West Indies to make a three-test tour of New Zealand and for England to have one international match against New Zealand at Auckland next summer, New Zealand will be represented by Messrs Vance and C. Fi Coffins at the I.C.C. meeting In London.