Mani can clear up contract dispute, says Dalmiya

Jagmohan Dalmiya reckons that the contracts row, which hogged so much attention in the build-up to the World Cup, is certain to be resolved now that Ehsan Mani has taken over from Malcolm Gray as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC). In a thinly-veiled attack on the previous incumbent, Dalmiya said that the issue had not been "handled the right way".

In a television interview, Dalmiya went on to add, "Everybody wants to serve the game well, but the methods are different. I have no problem with Gray. No jealousy or anything. Somewhere down the line, it might have appeared that we were not going in the right direction. That's why we are not great buddies."

The ICC have withheld India's share of the World Cup revenue, which comes to almost US$9 million, until an agreement can be reached with the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC), which marketed the event. The GCC had filed for compensation of $50m, claiming breach of player contracts.

Dalmiya and Mani worked closely together during the Dalmiya's tenure as ICC chief, and he's convinced that Mani will sort things out at the earliest. "He (Mani) has now put the matter on the right track. It could have been sorted out earlier. I know him personally and I'm sure he'll do what is in the best interest of the game."

Dalmiya launched a scathing attack on the GCC last month, claiming that they had not marketed the tournament properly. But a full-scale confrontation was avoided when Mani intervened. "We have accepted Mani's request to avoid confrontation and also do not want the matter settled through arbitration," said Dalmiya. "There is a lot of behind-the-scenes activity going on which I do not want to disclose now, but I am confident the matter will be settled amicably."