A tale of two cricket councils
It can thus be clearly seen why a united asian body could seriouslyaffect world cricket
Partab Ramchand
21-Feb-2002
The age-old maxim "In unity is strength" not only still holds good but
is also not out of place in cricket. The solidarity expressed by
member countries of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) at their meeting
in Sharjah last weekend has had more than the desired effect.
Initially there were fears that the show of unity on the issue of the
composition of the International Cricket Council's Referees Commission
to go into the Mike Denness controversy would trigger off a crisis
that could put even Bodyline and match-fixing in the shade. But the
ACC's decision to stand together put the ICC squarely on the
defensive. It became quickly obvious that the game's governing body
had to take a prudent step, for a wrong move on their part could well
have the impact of a bomb, the explosion of which could engulf world
cricket.
It can thus be clearly seen why a united asian body could seriously affect world cricket. The icc executive board comprises the 10 test playing nations and, according to an icc statement, south africa has also joined the asian bloc in requesting for the postponement. |
The solidarity shown by the ACC was rather unexpected, given the fact
that India Pakistan cricketing ties have been strained, following
the Indian government's decision not to play Pakistan anywhere and
India's subsequent withdrawal not only from their scheduled tour of
Pakistan but also from the Asian Test Championship. But the two
powerhouses in Asian cricket put aside their differences, taking the
view that the region's sentiments were not being respected.
This show of unity was certainly the most important feature of the
meeting and one that could leave a shadow over cricketing matters
worldwide. The Asian bloc has obviously decided to close ranks to take
on the ICC over issues where there is a perception of being unfairly
dealt with. This also means that the four-nation South Asian bloc's
four votes, with the support of one more, could jettison any ruling
taken at ICC executive board meetings, where there is need for a clear
majority to force an issue.
It can thus be clearly seen why a united Asian body could seriously
affect world cricket. The ICC executive board comprises the 10 Test
playing nations and, according to an ICC statement, South Africa has
also joined the Asian bloc in requesting for the postponement.
President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jagmohan
Dalmiya has won bouquets at home for his tough stance on the Denness
controversy, even if he has largely received brickbats from abroad. He
expressed his unhappiness at the composition of the Commission in no
uncertain terms. Riding on a crest of popularity, Dalmiya obviously
saw no reason why he should soften his stance.
Indeed, the Sharjah meeting and the subsequent ICC decision to put
off the Referees Commission meeting can be termed as a triumph for
Dalmiya. For one thing, he was able to firmly rally the ACC behind him
to take on the ICC. He even managed to get Pakistan's backing on the
issue, which, under the prevailing circumstances, was nothing short of
a master-stroke, for apparently Pakistan, because of public and
government pressure, initially did not want to go along with India.
Maintaining the pressure on the ICC, Dalmiya spoke of the need to
democratise the body as, according to him, decisions were being taken
by one or two individuals heading the organisation. "It is unfortunate
that ICC is taking decisions without consulting its members," Dalmiya
is quoted to have said. In its resolution, the ACC urged the ICC to
halt the proceedings of the Referees Commission set up to look into
the penalties handed out by match referee Denness during the second
Test of the South Africa-India series late last year.
The ACC effectively forced the ICC onto the back foot by resolving
that it was "deeply concerned over this dispute between the ICC and
some of the member countries." The president of the Pakistan Cricket
Board, Tauqir Zia, who is also the ACC chief, made it clear that while
the ACC did not want a quarrel with the ICC, "we do want that the
concerns of the member countries be listened to."
Indeed, the theme of the meeting, as spelt out by Zia, was that
"Asia's voice must be heard." Again, one of the substantive
resolutions at the conference stated that India would not tour New
Zealand if the latter declined to go over to Pakistan for the
rescheduled tour of the last winter in April. New Zealand were
scheduled to tour Pakistan in October but cancelled such plans
following the September 11 attacks in America. Subsequently, it has
received written assurances on security fears from the Pakistan
government.
Another resolution requested the ICC to set up a special fund to
provide compensation to countries that suffer financial loss due to
cancellation of a scheduled visit. A supplementary decision in this
regard, which reflects the Asian solidarity on the issue, was that in
case a country within or outside Asia fails to honour a commitment,
other than for reasons beyond the control of the cricket boards, the
four Test-playing nations of the sub-continent would refuse to visit
or host that particular country. Pointing out that countries in the
sub-continent had faced this problem for long, Dalmiya did not mince
words. "Whenever they like, they have threatened not to tour the Asian
countries. Now we are saying that if you do not tour our countries, we
will not come to your place."
This kind of plain talking - whether justified or not - has obviously
taken the ICC by surprise. But this does not mean that the last has
been heard on the subject. ICC president Malcolm Gray has expressed
his unhappiness at the postponement. According to him, it was
"extremely disappointing that the work of a properly constituted
commission, established after extensive consultations with the BCCI,
has to be halted because of a pressure from within the executive
board."
Taking the cue, other ICC members could also cause trouble at Cape
Town. The stage is set for another round of negotiations and oneupmanship next month. One fear is that the issue could become a
personal ego clash between some members who may want to settle
personal scores, and that is one thing the burning issue and the
game - could do without.