England refuses to play second test in Guyana

Press, 28 February 1981, Page 60

England refuses to play second test in Guyana

NZPA London England’s Cricket Council yesterday pulled its touring team out of further play in Guyana after the bowler, Robin Jackman, was banned from the country because of his links with South Africa.

The council, the ruling body of 'the sport in England, announced tire decision after a five-hour meeting at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. “As Robin Jackman has been asked to leave Guyana it is no longer possible for the test team to be chosen without restrictions being imposed,” a statement said. The council has told the tour manager, Mr Alan Smith, in Guyana, that the team cannot play its second test match against the West Indies. The match was due to start at Georgetown today. Jackman, aged 35, flew to Guyana earlier this week to replace the injured vice-cap-tain, Bob Willis. His wife is South African and he has played cricket in South Africa each winter for the last 11 years. The Cricket Council said last night that it was seeking assurances from the West Indies Cricket Board tht no other country the English team is due to visit would try to interfere with selection of the team. The council’s statement added: “It is with deep regret that England cannot take part in the second test. The council does not consider that the inclusion of Robin Jackman in the England team in any way infringes the spirit or letter of the Gleneagles Agreement.”

The whole tour will be in jeopardy unless the West Indies Cricket Board can assure the Council that no pressure will be applied to “interfere with the selection of the England team or to impose any restrictions on their entry to any country included on their itinerary for the remainder of the tour.” Originally it was not expected that Jackman would be considered for the Georgetown test, out England had another fast howler, Graham Dilley, injured in the one-day international at Berbice, yesterday.

The assistant manager Ken Barrington,, admitted that Dilley, who had a badly bruised toe, had only a 50-50 chance of being fit by today. Mr Peter Lush, a spokesman for the Cricket Council said yesterday there was no question of the tour being abandoned and the team returning home immediately. The plan is to move on to Barbados as soon as possible.

The Press Association’s cricket correspondent in Georgetown, Ray Dye, said that a statement had been issued there by Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Mr Rashley Jackson. The Minister said that after an investigation, the Government was satisfied

that Jackman had played in South Africa recently and was therefore acting against the spirit of the Gleneagles Accord. “In effect, that accord denounces apartheid in sport and frowns upon sporting contacts with South Africa by Commonwealth countries. “The Guyanan Government has strong and well publicised views against apartheid in sport and has, in the past taken appropriate action against persons who come, or wish to come, to Guyana after having recently partiepated in sport in South Africa.” The statement continued: “In the light of the circumstances the Government has been constrained to issue an order revoking the two-week visitor’s permit which was given on arrival.” The British High Commissioner, Mr Philip Mallet, said that special security precautions might have to be taken regarding the team’s departure from Guyana. England’s manager, Mr Smith, said he had no reason to believe there would be any interference in Barbados.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Mallet had commented that the Gleneagles Agreement was not relevant to the situation since it makes no reference to action by one government against citizens of another.