West Indians take umbrage at request

Press, 4 November 1986, Page 44

West Indians take umbrage at request

PA Wellington The West Indies Cricket Board of Control has rejected New Zealand’s request that its touring side bowl 90 overs a day in the test series in New Zealand this season. The chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Bob Vance, said yesterday that the West Indians were “obviously offended” by New Zealand’s request, which was contained in a copy of the proposed tour playing conditions sent to the West Indies board. “People don’t seem to understand that all we could do was seek to put the request in the playing

conditions. The West Indians didn’t have to agree and haven’t. So the series will be played under the normal laws of cricket,” he said. Mr Vance rejected a suggestion that the West Indies tour be cancelled if they wouldn’t agree to lift their over rates. “Some say we should not have them, but that’s not a practical suggestion. All the sponsorship deals have been signed and everything is ready.” The N.Z.C.C. executive officer, Graham Dowling, is at present in New Delhi, India, attending the final meeting of the World Cup Committee. The committee, which

has previously met twice, will finalise playing conditions and grounds arrangements, and will, according to Mr Vance, discuss the demand by Indian officials that countries attending the World Cup should not choose players who have been involved with South Africa. “England has our support in choosing their best available team,” said Mr Vance, Mr Dowling will return home via Australia, where he will make final arrangements for New Zealand’s Australian tour after the World Cup next year.