Lele slams reports of itinerary goof-up
Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jaywant Lele was on Tuesday upset over reports which suggested that the BCCI has succumbed to pressure tactics of its Australian counterpart and agreed to revert to the original itinerary
of the Aussies' tour of India.
Under pressure ever since Australian Cricket Board chief executive Malcolm Speed made known his unhappiness over suggested changes in the venues for the keenly-awaited tour, Lele declared that the BCCI has not bowed to anyone.
"Nothing has been finalised as yet. Everything will be
made known on January 22 [after the BCCI's working committee
meeting in New Delhi]," he said over phone from Baroda.
"It's not anyone's concern how we draw up the schedule," Lele said.
Queried further about reports emanating
from Australia, he retorted: "Why do you believe the
reports. Why don't you believe the honorary secretary of the BCCI."
The Australians are reportedly irked over last minute
changes suggested in the itinerary, with India wanting to cancel a
three-day match so that the tour did not clash with the
Sharjah tri-series between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Sharjah organisers have now agreed to postpone the
tournament by four days, paving the way for the Australians to
complete the Indian tour by the originally agreed date -- April
6.
The Sharjah Cup will now be played from April 8 to 20.
Rescheduling of venues will, however, be necessary as two
originally named one-day venues, in Kochi and Goa, may not be in
a position to host the matches as they are basically football
stadia and will be busy with the National Football League.
Australia is to play three Tests and five one-dayers apart
from two three-day warm up matches during the 52-day tour of
India. While Bombay, Madras and Calcutta will in all probability be the Test venues, Baroda will host a three-day match between the visitors and the Board President's XI while Delhi will be the likely
venue for a three-dayer against Ranji champions Mumbai.
Mail Cricket Editor
