Lloyd declines comment on cricket apology

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 46

Lloyd declines comment on cricket apology

NZPA Bridgetown, Barbados The West Indies cricket captain, Clive Lloyd, of Guyana, has declined to confirm whether the West Indies Cricket Board had formally apologised to the New Zealand Cricket Council for. incidents th?.t occurred in New Zealand during the test series that ended in February.

Commenting on the New Zealand incidents, Lloyd said that West Indian players were provoked in a number of ways. Their’s was a norma! humrin reaction.

Lloyd stressed that umpiring during the New Zealand tour was the worst he had ever seen. He also said that the West Indian players should have never set foot

in New Zealand for the test series. Lloyd plans to retire' from Test cricket after leading the West Indies for a five-test series in England, later this year. He has recommended Vivian Richards, of Antigua, as the man to succeed him as captain. Four Guyanese have captained West Indies teams since the region entered international test competition. Meanwhile the New Zealand Cricket Council chairman, Mr Bob Vance, said yesterday that nothing official had been received from the West Indies Cricket Board of Control over alleged apologies for the behaviour of the West Indies team in New Zealand. The West Indies Board

has also decided it will take no disciplinary action against the fast-bowlers, Colin Croft and Michael Holding. This decision was made at the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the WJ.C.B.C. The all-clear for the two bowlers paves the way for their selection on the West Indian touring party on their forthcoming tour of England in-May. ■ _ Croft was accused of swearing at an umpire and later of barging into him after .fie turned’ down an appeal during the recent tour. • Holding -was alleged to have , deliberately kicked down the stumps after another appeal'which was refused. ’ ..