Cricket: Black Caps' Cup build-up in doubt

New Zealand's World Cup build-up was thrown into confusion last night after another bout of muscle-flexing from India's new administration.

On a day in which the Indian Board of Control (BCCI) threatened the future of the International Cricket Council's Champions Trophy tournament, there was also doubt cast over India's visit to New Zealand next summer; the last competition before the start of the World Cup.

Indian reporters were yesterday left bewildered at a press conference in Mumbai when the recently-apppointed BCCI president Sharad Pawar refused to confirm that next summer's tour would take place.

The Times of India and The Hindu both reported about Pawar's reluctance to acknowledge the tour, and were prompted to speculate on their country's apparent power-clash with the ICC.

Next year's visit was scheduled as part of the ICC's future tours programme, a contract that threatens reneging nations with multi-million dollar fines and, at worst, suspension from the world body.

India were infuriated by the treatment dished out during their previous tour to New Zealand in 2002-03, which coincidentally just happened to be on the eve of the World Cup in South Africa.

On pitches that were almost certainly doctored in favour of the hosts, India were routed 2-0 in the tests and 5-2 in the one-dayers, and in the aftermath warned that the 2007 visit was far from a certainty.

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden was unavailable for comment last night, adding fuel to the suggestion that his administration may have struck a deal with India in the form of either a postponement or a trade-off.

Whatever the upshot, the sub-continental power-base has pushed a confrontational line over the past few weeks; its latest target being the ICC-sponsored Champions Trophy tournament.

BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi told Reuters that India were not prepared to sacrifice the most productive part of their domestic season in order to safeguard the interests of England and Australia.

"We're not free in October in 2007, 2008 or 2009, said Modi. We have made our position very clear to the ICC [International Cricket Council] many times."

India will stage this year's Champions Trophy from October 7 to November 5 but argue that holding the event at that time cuts into their bilateral schedule and, as a consequence, on their revenue.

Modi said the Champions Trophy had been scheduled in such a way that it did not clash with the peak season of either Australia or England.

"If others want to play they can. Why should we play in October?"

Even more ominously, the BCCI has announced plans to produce and supply its own international telecasts, a move that would allow it to on-sell the rights for what is conservatively estimated at US$350m a year.

"We will have all the latest gimmicks that Australia or England provide," said Modi.