Bangladesh blames T.C.C.B. for decision

Press, 9 January 1986, Page 8

Bangladesh blames T.C.C.B. for decision

NZPA London Bangladesh yesterday laid the blame for the cancellation of the first leg of the England B team’s cricket tour on the Test and County Cricket Board (T.C.C.8.). The Bangladesh High Commission in London said there had been a misunderstanding over the terms of the Gleneagles Agreement. The Bangladesh Government objected to the inclusion in the England team of Chris Smith, Martyn Moxon. Bill Athey and Kim Barnett because of their connections with South Africa. A spokesman at the High Commission said: “The T.C.C.B. was fully aware that the inclusion of some players could create complications, and, in fact, there had been discussions between them and Zimbabwe over this matter.

“It is therefore difficult to understand why the T.C.C.B. did not take into account the possibility of similar difficulties arising with Bangladesh in view of the past association of some players with South Africa.” The T.C.C.B. policy is not to alter the structure of a touring team because of outside pressures.

The B team plans to go ahead with the second stage of the tour starting in Sri Lanka on January 16, but there is still a question mark over the third leg in Zimbabwe in mid-February. The T.C.C.B. is still waiting to hear whether the four players will be allowed to play in Zimbabwe and hopes to have a decision thisweek.