Cricket: Schedule foul-up has NZC chief fuming

By RICHARD BOOCK

Not for the first time this year, New Zealand Cricket has found itself at the mercy of an international double-dating fiasco.

Only a couple of months after being stood up by the West Indies, NZC has discovered that two out of the three touring teams scheduled to arrive here this summer are supposed to be playing on different continents at the same time.

Pakistan, who have just confirmed their intention to arrive in New Zealand on February 10, are scheduled to be hosting India until February 12, while Sri Lanka intend to play their first one-day international in New Zealand on January 31, the same day as their final one-day match in South Africa.

NZC chief executive Chris Doig has pointed out the clash to Sri Lankan authorities and expects a suitable amendment to be made soon, but as one of the main advocates of a new international scheduling system he is privately seething about the blunders.

"It can be very frustrating, but we're talking about many different countries and cultures, and there are always logistical difficulties involved," he said. "People work on different deadlines depending on their situation, and we really have to be patient."

He expected details of Sri Lanka's short tour would be completed soon, and said NZC was confident that Pakistan would honour their touring obligations despite the complications with India.

Reports from Karachi yesterday suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board had tired of India's procrastination over the planned tour and had instead decided to give priority to New Zealand.

India were supposed to tour Pakistan between December 26 and February 12.

"The Indian series is doubtful, hence our confirmation to New Zealand," a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly told the Dawn newspaper. "If India agree to tour Pakistan, the itinerary might be rescheduled.

"The New Zealand board wanted confirmation because the rugby season starts at the same time the Pakistan team are there."

Pakistan officials are apparently expecting confirmation of the Indian tour this week.

New Zealand's tour of Zimbabwe, meanwhile, remains on track despite reports that Robert Mugabe's Government intends to expand its controversial land-confiscation plans.

NZC general manager Tim Murdoch said yesterday that recent communications with Zimbabwe suggested the tour would proceed as planned, with all venues considered safe and secure, and unlikely to be affected by the unrest.

Murdoch said the New Zealand high commissioner to Zimbabwe, Bruce Middleton, had advised that the tour should "at this stage" proceed, while Zimbabwean cricket officials had confirmed their intention to host New Zealand, and to tour here in December.

"We've asked some questions about some specific venues but have been told that there should be no problems," said Murdoch.

"On top of that, Zimbabwe have also confirmed their tour here in December, so on that front, everything's looking quite positive."