By Tony Cozier
THE far-reaching implications of the West Indies’ desertion of their tour of India have attracted the global attention. Here is a selection of comments in the international cricket press:
Former England all-rounder DEREK PRINGLE in the Daily Telegraph, London: “This can only be about the ego of a few men running West Indies cricket, a once great cricketing force now seemingly humbled once more by internecine strife. There is simply no other logical explanation for why a debtridden body like the West Indies Cricket Board, or the players that represent it on the field, would risk so much financially in the pursuit of so little…a ridiculous state of affairs when dialogue, and potential resolution, can be arranged within minutes on the phone.”
Former Australia captain ALLAN BORDER: “It could kill off cricket in that region. It’s a very strange decision. I know there are two sides to every story but on the surface, it’s a very, very dumb decision. You have to think about the ramifications when you take those things on.”
Former England captain MIKE ATHERTON in The Times, London: “The cost of the cancellation of the tour has been couched in financial terms only. Of course, there is a significant financial cost for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and ESPN Star Sports, its rights-holder, and one sympathises with both. But financial considerations should be the consequence of cricket being played,