Devon Malcolm Denies 'Racist' Claim (17 Jan 1996)

Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 17 January 1996

Malcolm denies `racist` claim

DEVON MALCOLM yesterday denied that his dispute with England cricket manager Ray Illingworth had anything to do with his colour.

As the row over his articles in a national newspapaer continued, the Jamaican-born fast bowler issued a statement through his solicitors saying race was not an issue.

Malcolm, who attacked the England management in two stories, faces a heavy fine and a possible ban for breaching his tour contract with the Test and County Cricket Board.

He was condemned yesterday for bringing race into the argument when he asked whether he would have been treated the same way if he had been a white bowler - a remark which drew a rebuke from TCCB spokesman Richard Little, who described it as "offensive".

Yesterday, however, Malcolm`s legal representatives, Meer Care and Desai, issued a statement saying: "Mr Malcolm has asked us to clarify his position. He has not alleged that either the TCCB or the tour management discriminated against him on account of race but felt that he had been treated harshly on tour.

"Devon Malcolm`s reference to colour, as reported, was in the context of his trying to understand the reasons for his treatment and was one of several reasons considered by him."

Illingworth, however, was said to be very unhappy with Malcolm`s comments. "I don`t think this has affected the team at all, the only person that has been affected is me, and I am very upset about it," he said.

* Former England batsman Allan Lamb, meanwhile, will play one last season for Northamptonshire before retiring from first-class cricket.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)