No early solution to BCCI - ICC row in sight

If current trends are any indication, there is not going to be a speedy resolution of the continuing conflict between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Every step taken by either of the two bodies smacks of fresh confrontation. One fears that matters could very well snowball again into a fresh crisis that could engulf the cricketing world, for the path being taken by both the ICC and BCCI is rocky - and loaded with controversy.

The Referees' Commission obviously has the full support of the ICC, and Gray added that after having consulted extensively with the BCCI, ultimately without agreement, the ICC felt that it was time for progress and action. The Referees' Commission will meet in South Africa on February 23.

The latest move on the part of the ICC - to proceed with the Referees' Commission in the aftermath of the Mike Denness affair despite the BCCI's decision to refrain from participating in any form or manner ­ is bound to draw a sharp response from Jagmohan Dalmiya. The BCCI president has been at loggerheads with the world body on one aspect or another on the controversy, and it surely is only a matter of time before he comes out with an uncompromising statement that can only add fuel to the fire.

The ICC's decision has been confirmed by its chief Malcolm Gray after the governing body for the game declined the latest proposal of the BCCI to either put the commission on hold until after the ICC Executive Board meeting in March or to enlarge the size of the panel from three to 10 people.

Gray made the ICC's stand clear in his statement. "The Referees Commission was a central part of the agreement between the ICC and the BCCI to save the India - England Test match at Mohali in December. Having agreed to this detailed and costly process, the ICC is extremely disappointed that the BCCI will not accept the invitation to express its strong views on these issues to the Commission."

According to Gray, following the refusal of the BCCI to participate in the Commission, one alternative open to the ICC was to disband the Commission altogether. But, as he pointed out, there were a number of important issues that required immediate resolution. "After careful consideration, we have rejected that course and decided that the Commission should be convened and deliver its findings to the Executive Board, as agreed with the BCCI. The ICC made a commitment to BCCI and the public to investigate these matters, and we are obliged to meet that commitment," Gray added by way of explanation.

The Referees' Commission obviously has the full support of the ICC, and Gray added that after having consulted extensively with the BCCI, ultimately without agreement, the ICC felt that it was time for progress and action. The Referees' Commission will meet in South Africa on February 23.

It will be interesting now to watch for the BCCI's next move. Knowing Dalmiya, it is likely to be controversial and confrontational. All through the crisis, the former ICC chief has adopted a hard line. He has repeatedly made it clear that he was not going to come down from the uncompromising stance he adopted at the start of the controversy in November last year after Denness, a former England captain, took a hard line against six Indian players, including icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Dalmiya has enjoyed considerable support in India as a result of his tough stance on the issue, even as he has received brickbats from abroad. With Dalmiya clearly having no intention of stepping down from his tough stance on the issue, there is every chance that the controversy is far from over.ndeed, another unhappy chapter in the world of cricket is almost certain to unfold.