English demand ignored

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 44

English demand ignored

NZPA-Reuter Madras India’s cricket authorities yesterday. put what could be the final nail in the coffin of the scheduled England winter tour of the country. The Board for Control of Cricket in India (8.C.C.1.) ignored an England demand that it say whether the touring side was acceptable as picked, in spite of the Indian Government’s declaration it would not grant visas to eight of the players with South African links. In a statement after its two-day annual meeting, the 8.C.C.1. put the ball firmly in the court of the Test and County Cricket Board (T.C.C.8.) which controls English firstclass cricket. “We hope that some solution can be found by the T.C.C.B. which will be in conformity with the spirit behind the Indian Government’s decision,” the 8.C.C.1. said in a clear hope England would drop the eight. The T.C.C.B. has refused to do that. “The 8.C.C.1. members decided that they will strictly abide by the Government’s decision,” the Indian statement said. The 8.C.C.1. said nothing about withdrawing its invitation for England’s 11-week tour due to start on December 6. Board sources said that was a deliberate omission because of the T.C.C.B.’s threat to ask for compensation for the cancellation of the tour. The T.C.C.B. said last week it was essential that it be advised within 24 hours of the 8.C.C.1. meeting “if India can accept the England team as chosen.” . The T.C.C.B. chief executive, Alan Smith, said: “We would certainly consider asking for compensation from India if the tour fails to go ahead. We have to “ make certain payments bearing in mind the players’ contracts.” The Indian Government was incensed above all by the declaration of the Essex batsman, Graham Gooch, that he had broken a contract to play in South Africa in order to captain England on the tour of India.