Financial matters will top Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya's agenda when he attends the executive committee meeting of the International Cricket Council in London next week.
It is learnt that Global Cricket Corporation, the sponsorship rights holders of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, have sought compensation to the tune of Rs 2.5 billion from the ICC for breach of the ambush marketing contract by the Indian cricket players, New Zealand's refusal to play in Kenya and a similar boycott of Zimbabwe by England.
The ICC, anticipating such a claim by the GCC, had withheld around 8-9 million dollars due to the BCCI, 3.5 million dollars due to the England and Wales Cricket Board and 2.5 million dollars marked for New Zealand Cricket.
The ICC is sure to put forward the issue to its executive committee members at the meeting.
Also, it is almost certain the BCCI will dispute it and the matter will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne.
Though the ICC has held on to the World Cup guarantee money due to the BCCI, it released the prize-money that was due to India for finishing second in the tournament.
Dalmiya is also expected to rake up the issue of the ICC dragging its feet on the Mike Denness affair.
Match referee Denness had suspended Sachin Tendulkar for tampering with the ball, and also handed out separate punishments to five other Indian cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Shiv Sunder Das and wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta, during the Port Elizabeth Test of the 2001-2002 series in South Africa.
At home too, money matters are hogging the attention of the Board, which is in the process of finalising an insurance scheme for first class cricketers. Talks are at an advanced stage with a couple of insurance companies. The scheme will almost double the current insurance cover for first class cricketers.
It is also learnt that sponsors Sahara India has released the Rs ten million-plus amount for its involvement in the triangular tournament in Dhaka in April, but withheld the amount due for the World Cup, citing the "ambush clause" conflict with the ICC.
