BCCI on top as UCB climbs down

UCB media manager Gerald De Kock, however, didn’t agree. Speaking to The Indian Express De Kock said, ‘‘There has been no drastic change of mind. We looked at the most suitable option and agreed. The tour had to be condensed because of unusual difficulties.’’

Strange, considering the fact the UCB have been firing accusations at the BCCI all this while. From calling the BCCI ‘‘inefficient and inept’’, the UCB through its CEO Gerald Majola even accused the Indian board of ‘‘creating confusion’’ (See box) and raised the temperature with their statements.

De Kock admits to the contradictions, but says they were mainly ‘‘in the media’’.

De Kock says what will follow is a series of negotiations after the BCCI sends across a tentative itinerary and agreeing for ‘‘something amenable’’ to both sides. Despite reports that South Africa would be playing a seven-match one-day series next year, De Kock insists, it is still a thought and details have to be worked out.

For the BCCI though, it is a win-win situation as they have won Round 1 of this slanging match in which they were a silent participant.