The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ECB says Fletcher met match-referee

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Wednesday, Aug 23, 2006

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ECB says Fletcher met match-referee

London: In a new twist to the ball-tampering row, England and Wales Cricket Board, on Tuesday, confirmed England coach Duncan Fletcher did meet match referee Mike Procter but denied that he lodged a complaint over the condition of the ball during the fourth and final Test at the Oval.

An ECB spokesman clarified Procter was not there when Fletcher went to meet him and nothing was discussed between them.

``Duncan Fletcher visited the match referee's room before play (on Sunday) — a practice that is not unusual during an international match,'' the spokesman said.

``(But) there were no complaints lodged about anything,'' he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

The ball was only 18 overs old at the end of Saturday's play. Umpire Darrell Hair made his decision to pull Pakistan up for ball-tampering in the 56th over of England's innings.

England was dragged into the centre of the controversy with a local newspaper claiming that umpire Darrell Hair's action was triggered by coach Duncan Fletcher's visit to match referee before the start of fourth day's play.

The Daily Telegraph claimed on Tuesday that Fletcher had played the role of agent provocateur by his visit to match referee Mike Proctor. — Agencies

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