Indian news-round-up

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richards and the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), managing director, Ali Bacher are arriving in Calcutta on April 17 for a meeting convened by ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) AC Muthiah has also been invited for the meeting to assess the situation following Hansie Cronje's confession.

Apart from the BCCI president, the other five vice-presidents, Manohar Joshi, Kamal Morarka, AN Singh, KM Ram Prasad and CK Khanna and secretary JY Lele have also been invited by the ICC president.

Condemning the act, David Richards, who is presently in London, said ``gambling on cricket matches is a clear breach of the code of conduct and if a person is found guilty of this, there are strong penalties in place. We are all sad and unhappy at what has happened. But I must make it clear that stories of this nature are the exception rather than the rule and the behaviour of the vast majority of players is beyond reproach.''

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Wednesday called the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president AC Muthiah, for a meeting in the city on April 18 in order to ``exchange views and to ascertain the actions contemplated by the Indian Board,'' regarding the developements in the match fixing issue.

Speaking at a press conference about the proposed meeting in Calcutta, Dalmiya said that it was not strictly a one to one between the two presidents. He added ``If Muthiah desires to have with him other members of his Board, he is welcome to do so.''

Dalmiya said that the on-going scandal was a issue of great concern for the ICC. He added that even if it is the South African players who have been accused by the Delhi police, the fact that these have originated in India has prompted him to call upon the BCCI boss to review the situation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president AC Muthiah on Wednesday warned that any Indian cricketter found culpable of match fixing would face a life ban.

Speaking to a news agency in New Delhi, Muthiah said ``the game is greater than any individual and if any time an Indian player is proved to be involved in illegal activities, the BCCI will not hesitate to ban the concerned for life.''

On the recent developements, he said ``the whole episode gives us great concern. On one side we are relieved no Indian player has been named by the police. At the same time, we have to be cautious about the behaviour of our players. We have given our players enough warnings.''

Speaking on the various measures taken to prevent such malpractices, Muthiah said ``The clauses regarding involvement in betting are part and parcel of our agreement. It is also clear in our agreement with the players, which they sign every time they are picked to play for the country, that they should not have any contact with bookmakers or get involved in betting'' and added that if any such thing cropped up, the player concerned should immediately inform the team management.

It was a moment to cherish for VVS Laxman when he made his second triple century in the Ranji Trophy semi final against Karnataka on Wednesday. He became the first player in the history of the national competition to score two triple hundreds. The stylish Hyderabadi right hander said this was the best innings he has ever played in a Ranji Trophy match and was doubly happy for he fulfilled the promise that he made to his father before the start of the game. This was Laxman's seventh century of the season.

Speaking to an Indian newspaper at Bangalore on Wednesday, the 25-year-old Laxman said "before I left for Bangalore, my father asked me to score a triple hundred in the semifinal, and I had promised him to try my best. The moment I crossed 200 today, 300 was my target, and I am very happy that I could keep my promise to my father,``.

Laxman, who was axed from the Test side, said on his unique achievement "I didn't know about it. It feels very good, but what gives me more satisfaction is that I have contributed my bit as far as the team is concerned, and helped the side get into a very good position. Records are important, yes, but the team is more important.``