R Bright: Australian reaction to Malik's inclusion (23 Oct 95)

By Richard Bright in Sydney

THE Australian press has produced a hostile reaction to the inclusion of Salim Malik, the former captain at the centre of bribery allegations, in Pakistan`s party to tour Australia.

The Australian Cricket Board and team have sought to avoid a dispute over Salim, who last weekend was cleared by a Pakistan Board committee after being accused by Shane Warne and Tim May of offering a bribe before a Test in Pakistan last year.

With the Pakistanis arriving in Australia today, the Sydney Morning Herald said: "The exoneration of Salim is tantamount to a slap in the face to the Australian Test players

"The ACB may feel charitable, but there will be no policy of forgive and forget when Salim comes out to bat against Craig McDermott, Glenn McGrath, Paul Reiffel, Warne and company in the first Test. Salim should bring his best flak-jacket."

The Australian and The Daily Telegraph Mirror both blamed the International Cricket Council. The former said: "There is no limit to the incompetence and impotence of the ICC . bribery and corruption, the ICC is guilty of failing the international cricket community."

The Daily Telegraph Mirror said: "The Salim Malik affair has exposed the International Cricket Council as one of the great toothless tigers of world sport."

Majid Khan, a former Pakistan captain who was removed from the tour manager`s role on Sunday, resigned from the World Cup technical committee yesterday, blaming the Pakistan Board`s chief executive, Arif Abbasi, for the team`s recent dismal displays against Sri Lanka.