Cricket chiefs confirm N.Z. tour approach

Press, 22 October 1981, Page 36

Cricket chiefs confirm N.Z. tour approach

NZPA London England's cricket chiefs yesterday confirmed that they had approached the New’ Zealand Cricket Council on the possibility of touring New Zealand if the projected tour of India did not go ahead.

“At this stage all we have done is contact the New Zealand .Cricket Association over the week-end and ask if it w ; as possible to work out an alternative.” said Mr Peter Lush, spokesman for the Test and County Cricket Board.

“Our approach was received sympathetically and receptively. However, we would, not develop those discussions at this stage because we are still very keen

to go to India and hope something can be worked out.”

Mr Lush said that New Zealand w T as the only alternative to the board had considered.

In a statement yesterday the board said there had been detailed exchanges between England and Indian cricket chiefs and as a result the Indian cricket board of control was now seeking urgent talks with the Indian Government.

The statement added that T.C.C.B. officials were pregared to meet the. Indian Government and cricket chiefs if it would help overcome the problems facing the tour. But it made it clear that

while the T.C.C.B. still hoped the tour would take place, it would not bow to Indian Government demands that Geoff Boycott and Geoff Cook be dropped from the England touring team because of their links with South Africa.

“The T.C.C.B. confirm that they received a cable from the’ Indian Cricket Board of. Control, sent at the request of their government insisting that Boycott and Cook be dropped, from the England team."-.the statement said.

“The T.C.C.B. have informed” the Indian Cricket Board that it will not be possible to accede to this request.