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Gavaskar’s dual role worries ICC

Perth: International Cricket Council President-elect David Morgan has sensed a “conflict of interests” in Sunil Gavaskar’s attack on Match Referee Mike Procter and expressed concerns at the ICC Cricket Committee chairman’s “outspoken comments”.

Gavaskar lambasted Procter after the Sydney Test for slapping a three-match ban on Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for allegedly a racist remark aimed at Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Gavaskar was furious that though there was no evidence, Procter just went by the word of some Australian players before announcing the ban.

Morgan, who was here on a business visit, admitted there was concern within ICC about Gavaskar’s dual role as the chief of the Cricket Committee and as a commentator.

Conflicts of interests

“Conflicts of interests pervade our sport. In terms of Gavaskar, within the ICC, there is a concern now that he’s chairman of the cricket committee and a journalist who has expressed some fairly outspoken comments,” Morgan said.

Morgan did not see anything new in it but felt ideally, people should not carry too many such baggage.

“In all walks of life and business, you have people operating with conflicts of interests. All boards have a policy for conflicts,” Morgan was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

“When people come to the board table they leave their other baggage at the door,” he added.

Backing Bucknor

Morgan threw his weight behind the ICC’s decision to replace erring umpire Steve Bucknor in the Perth Test and said it was not like setting any precedent.

“The decision to replace Bucknor was not the result from any protest from one of the participating teams. There was a protest but the decision wasn’t a result of the process.”

“I don’t believe that a precedent is being set. I believe we have acted in the best interest of the game and the best interest of Bucknor.

‘’He’s our longest serving umpire and our best umpire. I’m sure he will be back,” he said. — PTI

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