Dalmiya blames ICC for impasse

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the Indian cricket board, has held the planning of the ICC ten-year Test calendar responsible for the current impasse over South Africa's tour of India later this year. The South African board has expressed unhappiness over the itinerary submitted by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and there have been suggestions about the BCCI¹s indifference towards the series.

Speaking to Wisden Cricinfo from Kolkata, Dalmiya said, "If I have to blame someone, it would be the ICC for the blunder in drawing up the [ten-year] schedule."

The ICC schedule has India hosting Australia in the month of October, while South Africa are listed as "free". The November column has South Africa visiting India. The last month of the year 2004 sees India being ticked free while South Africa host England for a four-Test series commencing from December 17.

Dalmiya pointed out that according to the terms of reciprocation, South Africa were due to play three Tests and seven one-day matches, the number played by India on their tour of South Africa in 2001-02. But that many games would require a minimum of 55 days, and given the respective commitments of the both the teams it was just not possible.

"We have tried telling that to the UCB, but they have not done their homework properly", said Dalmiya. He felt that the issue had attracted undue attention, as the South African board went public without understanding the Test plan.

He further stated that the solutions presented by the Indian side were not acceptable to the South Africans. ³We told them to defer the England dates further to find enough time to accommodate the three Tests and three ODIs which was not acceptable to them." Considering that the Australians depart on November 7, and the South Africans arrive in the first week, they could play a warm-up game and then the three Tests in the ensuing three weeks. The ODIs could have been squeezed into their trip to India in 2006. "That again was rejected, as they want to play the ODIs now."

However Dalmiya was confident a solution would be found soon. "I will be meeting Mr Ray Mali, the UCB president, in Dubai ­on June 10­ during the ICC meeting to address the Zimbabwe issue, where we will try and sort things out."