BCCI miffed as ICC raises possibility of Siva election facing scrutiny

“Currently we have decided to participate in the Champions Trophy. But everything will depend on the outcome on the issue of Sivaramakrishnan’s appointment in the ICC’s Technical Committee,” BCCI’s Rajiv Shukla said on Monday.

The BCCI has received support from the Asian associations who have stated that the election of Sivaramakrishnan did not deserve to be under the scanner.

In a letter to the ICC,FICA’s legal adviser Ian Smith alleged that cricket boards were pressurised (by the BCCI) after incumbent Tim May won the initial vote 9-1. The BCCI rubbished the allegation. “Who or what is FICA? What locus standi do they have? Does it have representation from all Test-playing countries? We don’t see any controversy. Voting was done and Sivaramakrishnan won it. Why is the matter being referred to the ethics committee? Maybe some individuals are giving too much importance to the FICA,” said a top BCCI official,speaking to The Indian Express.

Now with the support of the Asian boards,the top BCCI official said that there was no way FICA’s demand to put the re-election process through the ethics committee of the ICC would be met.

“It’s very unfortunate to see that allegations arise only when an Asian or Indian cricketer comes into play. When it comes to Laxman Sivaramakrishnan serving the ICC cricket committee,we look at his cricketing ability,” Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishanta Ranatunga said. Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka Ashraf concurred. “Because of certain unanimous decisions of Pakistan,India,Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,they are opposed to such polices. Why?” Ashraf asked.

The head of the South African players’ association Tony Irish has described May as a “long-term players’ advocate”.

May,however,has never been a BCCI favourite for his criticisms of IPL and other T20 leagues. He has also hit out at the Indian board for not supporting the decision-review system.

Re-vote necessary

The ICC has already clarified its stand. “In January this year,because of confusion in the voting process for such representatives (for example in respect of what should happen in the case of a tied vote and,where teams had different captains for different formats of the game,which captain should be entitled to vote),the ICC board considered the matter carefully,and following clarification of the process to be followed,decided that another vote should be taken,’ the world body had said in a statement.