Three-month delay to
Mike Denness inquiry

The International Cricket Council's inquiry into disciplinary procedures followed by ICC match referee Mike Denness in a Test match in South Africa last year has been put back by at least three months, the ICC has said.

Former England captain Denness is shortly to undergo surgery and his presence was required at a meeting of the ICC's disputes resolution committee scheduled for June 6 and 7, the ICC said in a statement on Friday.

"Michael Beloff QC considered his attendance to be crucial for the committee to be able to reach firm and fair conclusions," the statement read.

"That meeting has now been deferred for at least three months, following confirmation that Mike Denness is to undergo surgery in the near future and will not be in a position to attend the inquiry."

The ICC inquiry has been set up to examine the action taken by Denness against six Indians, including Sachin Tendulkar for ball tampering, during the second Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth last November.

At the time, the sanctions meted out by Denness were greeted with dismay in India and the Indian cricket board demanded an inquiry.

The ICC said the actions of Denness would be reviewed by a committee led by the newly-appointed chairman of the Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff QC, and also comprising ICC directors Peter Chingoka of Zimbabwe, Bob Merriman of Australia and Wes Hall of the West Indies.

Mail Cricket Editor