BCCI puts contract
system on hold

The much-awaited contract system for Indian cricketers has again been put on hold, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India deciding to incorporate a few details suggested by the International Cricket Council.

The BCCI, at its Working Committee meeting in Delhi on Tuesday, also decided to prepare fast and bouncy pitches at ten centres "on an experimental basis", and implement a rotation policy for international players "to give them the required rest before the World Cup".

BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters that the contract system, which was to be finalised by February 28, would be delayed by "a month or two" after incorporating the details in the contract terms.

"The ICC has given us some details to be included in the players' contracts -- things like clauses on doping and education about anti-corruption," Dalmiya said.

"There were suggestions from team coach John Wright and physio Andrew Leipus that a clause on physical fitness of the players be also included in the terms and we are looking into that," he added.

Dalmiya said because of the busy schedule of the Indian team before next year's World Cup, the BCCI has decided to give some players "the required rest" at their own request.

"When I met some senior players during the Bangalore Test (against England), they said they would like to have such a system," he said.

Reiterating that there is no quarrel with the ICC on the controversial Mike Denness issue, Dalmiya said the Working Committee approved his decision to take the matter to the ICC Executive Board.

The ICC had ignored India's nominees while setting up a panel to study whether match-referee Mike Denness had "followed the procedures" while awarding punishments to six Indian players in South Africa last year. But bowing to pressure from the Asian countries, the world body decided to yield to the demand to put the panel on hold till the Executive Board meeting on March 15 and 16.

Dalmiya said the ICC also rejected an alternative panel, suggested by South Africa, comprising the Board presidents of the West Indies, Australia and Zimbabwe.

Addressing a long-standing problem which is believed to be the major reason for India's poor performance abroad, the Working Committee decided to select 10 centres, most probably the Test venues, to prepare fast and bouncy tracks.

Dalmiya said two pitches in each of the five zones would be picked and the services of experts from foreign countries would be taken.

Dalmiya also announced the decision to appoint a foreign physical trainer for the team before the tour of West Indies, starting in April. He said appointing a trainer would be made mandatory for every Ranji team too. Besides, a zonal medical panel would be set up to study the injuries suffered by the players.

Mail Cricket Editor