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UCBSA seeks Dalmiya help on players' probe

June 02, 2004 16:46 IST

United Cricket Board of South Africa Chief Executive Officer Gerald Majola has sought Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya's help in regard to the possibility of Nicky Boje and Herschelle Gibbs facing police interrogation on the match-fixing case if they travel to India with the South African team in November.

"I spoke to Mr. Dalmiya and asked for his Board's assistance in this matter. I realise that the BCCI cannot give any guarantees on behalf of the police authorities. However, I have requested that he assist us in finding the right person or persons with whom we can communicate about this matter. He has given me an undertaking to respond to our request as soon as possible," said Majola in an e-mail.

Majola added: "We do not, under any circumstances, want to see any of our players put in a position where they have to go through police interrogation when they are on a cricket tour; we want to sort this issue out quickly."

Majola also said it is too soon to speculate about the make up of the squad for the tour to India.

"At this stage there is no thought of any of our players being withdrawn from the tour. We will assess the situation once we have all the relevant information. We also have a lot of cricket to play before the visit to India."

The South Africa squad tours Sri Lanka in July and August and goes to England for the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

Majola added that the UCBSA would be contacting the Minister of Sport Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile for his input and assistance with this matter.

The November tour will be the first visit to India by the South African National team since 2000. As yet the UCB has not received an itinerary for the tour, an issue Majola also took up with the BCCI president.

"I have asked Mr.Dalmiya to forward to me, as a matter of urgency, a proposed itinerary, and he has said he would do so within the next few days."

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