BCCI faces opposition on change of new ball rule

The Indian Cricket Board’s bid to change the existing rule of using two new white balls in one-day internationals (ODIs) saw strong opposition from some of the other member Boards which led to ICC only agreeing to use one ball in a curtailed match.

It is learnt that there was a voting amongst the representatives of the 10 Test playing nations at the ICC Chief Executives Meeting in Dubai and there were five countries that voted in favour of existing rule of the use of two new white balls from two ends.

‘There was a voting process and India along with Pakistan, Bangladesh voted against use of two new balls. Australia, New Zealand, England and Zimbabwe were among those in favour of using two new balls while West Indies and South Africa abstained from voting. We have expressed our reservations about using of two new balls,’ BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said.

Patel also informed that BCCI, in principle, continued to oppose the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) and they have made it clear that they would not use it in any bilateral series. ‘We continue to oppose the usage of DRS. We have informed them that BCCI is not ready to accept DRS unless it is foolproof. In any bilateral series involving India, DRS won’t be used,’ Patel stated.

I had no discussions with Lorgat on SA tour: Sanjay Patel

NEW DELHI: The BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel termed his meeting with Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Haroon Lorgat as a ‘cordial one’ but at the same time said that there were ‘no discussions’ about India’s tour to South Africa at the end of the year.

‘I had a very cordial meeting with Mr Lorgat (in Dubai). I assured him that BCCI still shares a very good and friendly relationship with Cricket South Africa as it has been the case for the past 22 years. But any discussion on the South Africa series will only happen after BCCI AGM on September 29,’ Patel said on Tuesday.  Patel was categorical in pointing out that there was no discussion whatsoever on the length of the series.

‘Let me clarify, there was absolutely no discussion on India’s tour to South Africa, so the duration and the number of matches do not arise. Any discussion in that regard will be taken by the president of the two boards.’