THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

[Sir_Dig_A_Lot]

From the Telegraph. I am calling it a HUGE development for reasons highlighted in bold:

Duncan Fletcher
Agent provocateur? Duncan Fletcher stands accused

A spokesman for the England and Wales Cricket Board, James Avery, admitted Fletcher spoke with Procter before play but denied he had made a “specific complaint about the state of the ball”. Yet sources close to the team have revealed that Fletcher did play agent provocateur, a role that probably influenced Darrell Hair’s decision to pull Pakistan up for ball-tampering in the 56th over of England’s second innings.

Hair was unable to confirm the link, having remained tight-lipped yesterday, but Fletcher’s involvement would explain the umpire’s sudden decision to inspect and change the ball without any obvious reason or evidence to do so. If proven, it does not paint the umpires in a particularly good light as it implies they can be influenced by the moral claims of one side more than the other.

Given that the ball was only 18 overs old at the time, to make a “specific” complaint then would have been unusual, as the effects of tampering only become obvious after about 30 overs.

This latest development, while not proving Pakistan’s innocence, is bound to re-open the old enmity between the sides, especially now that Pakistan’s captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has been charged by the International Cricket Council with bringing the game into disrepute, a level three offence that carries a ban of up to eight one-day matches or two to four Tests if found guilty.

The circumstantial evidence for Fletcher drawing Procter’s attention to Pakistan’s alleged ball-tampering is pretty strong. It was a hot topic of conversation among England’s players on Saturday when, among others, Marcus Trescothick, once he was out, was spotted watching Pakistan’s players through binoculars, presumably to ascertain what actions they were performing on the ball.

Fletcher also dropped hints to Sky TV during the last Test, making inquiries as to why their cameramen were not homing in more on the ball when Pakistan passed it around the team. While there is nothing wrong with asking the question, the motives for doing so are blurred, especially when England had already won the series.

England’s coach is hardly operating from the moral high ground, either, following last year’s Ashes series when reverse swing helped them win the series. Back then the Aussies were convinced that England were using sugar solution to coat the ball and help them achieve this, though it was left to the injured fast bowler Nathan Bracken to level the accusation.

Then there is the not-so-well kept secret that Mohammad Asif demonstrated the art of swing in all its guises to his team-mates at Leicestershire when he played for them earlier in the season. This was Asif’s only Test of the summer and England’s dossier on him would have contained that information. After all, Leicestershire’s coach is Tim Boon, one of Fletcher’s support staff until this year.

Fletcher is fiercely loyal to his players and his actions were probably designed to protect them rather than to humiliate Pakistan. However, in the murky world of international relations it is naive not to consider the bigger picture, something that could get very messy over the coming days.

So when you make a complaint, and ask the umpires to do specific checks for you, EVEN BEFORE ANYTHING HAS HAPPENED, you are working under the presumption that if Pakistani’s do reverse swing, it must be because they are cheating. WELL, it’s 1992 all over again.

[roadrunner]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

feed 'em to the lions.

[Afridi786]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

I dont think Asif will return to Leicestershire anytime soon, the *******s!

[Raindance]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

I slightly differ from the above rendering it just another sensational attempt.

If Hair was influenced by fletcher’s prompt , Then it is possible that Hair could have been influenced and was on vendata against Pakistan for objecting to his standing in the match in the first place.
Eitherway he screwdup and now ICC is going to backup one of their own!

[I_m_Kool]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

LOL, Sir Dig A Lot digs another big one for us. Nice find.

[Cheegum]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

Hmm i guess this is for real. Theyre trying to make Asif the scapegoat now. I hope it doesnt come down to him. We cannot afford to play without Asif :(

[Sir_Dig_A_Lot]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

Raindance, I am not calling it BIG because of the light it puts the umpires in. I am calling it big because until now, everybody thought that ECB is neutral in this row and Pakistan should make sure not to penalize ECB in any way over our conflict with the ICC.

However, if this has indeed been instigated by the ECB, it means the England coach and team have indirectly accused us of ball tampering, because they saw the ball reverse swinging in the first innings. If this is indeed correct, and Pakistan team believe that ECB is indeed a party to this issue, they may no longer have the same feelings about saving the ODI series!

[Sir_Dig_A_Lot]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

Now Independent is confirming it too. Man this is looking bad…

http://sport.independent.co.uk/cricket/article1220848.ece

Fletcher is caught up in row over ball tampering
By David Llewellyn
Published: 22 August 2006

As Pakistan cast doubt on the rest of their tour, the England management team was last night implicated in the ball-tampering row which erupted on the fourth day of the final Test at the Oval on Sunday which ended with the tourists being deemed to have forfeited the match.

It has emerged that on Sunday morning * the only day in the whole series when the issue of ball tampering arose * before the start of the day’s play, the England coach, Duncan Fletcher, went to see the match referee, Mike Procter. Fletcher’s visit was confirmed by an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman, who said: “It is not unusual for the England coach to meet with the match referee before play, but no complaint was made about the condition of the ball.”

However, it is understood Fletcher had concerns which could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the rest of the tour, but also for the relations between the two boards and even at diplomatic level between the two countries.

There were claims last night that ball tampering was discussed by England players on Saturday, and opener Marcus Trescothick was seen studying the Pakistan players through binoculars after being dismissed. It is alleged that the finger of blame could have been pointed at Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif.

Fletcher is also said to have suggested to television cameramen that they should focus on the ball being passed between the Pakistan players * although these comments were said to have been made in the third Test at Headingley.

It looks as if the remainder of Pakistan’s tour rests on the fate of their captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has been summoned to appear before an International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing on Friday. The Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer, admitted last night that “there will be problems” if

Inzamam is banned, confirming the one-day series would be in doubt.

** Woolmer also revealed that his family had talked him out of resigning. " I love cricket, its ethics, and its traditions and this has rocked my sensibilities," Woolmer said last night.**

Inzamam has been charged with ball tampering and with bringing the game into disrepute after the Pakistan team failed to re-emerge from their dressing-room on Sunday.

If found guilty of the first charge, he faces a one-Test ban or a suspension for two one-dayers. The disrepute charge is far more serious, carrying with it a ban of between two and four Tests or four to eight one-day internationals. Woolmer said: “The one-day tournament may well be in jeopardy if he is found guilty and banned for eight games. If the punishment was postponed it may be different. This is just what I’m thinking. Certainly after these events, the players are right behind their captain.”

The disciplinary hearing will be heard by the ICC chief match referee, Ranjan Madugalle, the former Sri Lanka Test player, and any punishment would apply with immediate effect, which could rule Inzamam out of some or all of the remaining matches.

Yesterday, the chief target of the Pakistan board and its team was the Australian umpire Darrell Hair.

The PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan, made it clear that Hair would be persona non grata at any Test involving his team. “The Board would not want to see Mr Hair officiating at any Pakistan game in the future,” he said. " We have had problems with Hair before. The team has lost confidence in him and has been offended by his attitude. Therefore we feel his presence is not desirable and we are requesting that he should not be appointed to Pakistan matches."

Shaharyar also said the PCB had lodged a protest with the ICC on two counts. "First, on the ball tampering, we have to give our account. Second, the issue of the forfeiture.

“We will be looking for a change to the protocol regarding ball tampering. My team was aggrieved at the manner in which the issue was brought. It is an issue which affects the credibility and integrity of our team, of our nation. It cannot be a subjective decision by the umpires. They have to go through a process. Unfortunately these rules have only just come in, and when we looked at them yesterday it was clear that the umpires had the right to do what they did. But the rules require change.”

Inzamam summed up Pakistan’s mood yesterday when he said: “This game is about more than winning and losing, it’s about respect, and countries come first. If someone says to me you are a cheat and Pakistan is doing wrong things, my priority is to my country.”

Inzamam was frustrated when he wanted to see the offending ball. “I asked him [Hair], ‘Why did you change the ball?’ He said: ‘The ball has been tampered with.’ I said ‘Show me,’ but he is not showing me the ball. It’s in the referee’s room, but I say it is my right to see the ball, to show that nothing has been done to the ball.”

The tourists insist there was no skulduggery with the ball. Woolmer added: " I asked every member of the team under oath whether they had scratched the ball. And to a man they said no."

What is that about Woolmer resigning, over what? Why did he even think about it? What’s happening? Is he not fully sure of our players’ stand?

[Afridi786]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

^I wouldn't be surprised if he did. We prolly did cheat.

[Cheegum]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

What if we did :(

[Afridi786]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

^Let the shame and humiliation begin.

[Cheegum]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

Hope for the best.. expect the worst

[acrobi123]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

I dont think so Woolmer will resign, He has character and uses different approach, which has worked well for Pakistan so far and I think in future (even after this protest) will see that Kangroo umpiring Pakistan's game. Lets wait what will happen on Friday "the hearing" things will be much clearer after that.

[dhobi_bhai]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

@acrobi123

I dont think so Woolmer will resign, He has character and uses different approach, which has worked well for Pakistan so far and I think in future (even after this protest) will see that Kangroo umpiring Pakistan's game.

Woolmer is a man of words. He has an accomplished feat of respect and a code of honor that he follows every walking day of his life alongwith a set of ethical rules that he abides by, and if any culprit in the dressing room is found guilty of ball tampering through fair and just means, I will not be surprised at all if Woolmer indeed resigns. Don't you expect the man of his credibility and stature to resign immediately especially considering the fact that every single entity was held under oath in front of his presence when the players handed their statements? If I was in Woolmer's position, I most certainly would hand in my resignation. If he doesn't, it would indicate that the measures he took had absolutely no effect whatsoever and the downside of this entire issue would be that he then would be seen as a supporter and an ally of the 'Nation of cheats' (as was conveniently put by the British Media) rather than stepping down at the right time and make it known to the world that what you did in your power was morally and ethically right and there is no backing up.

[Sir_Dig_A_Lot]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

I really hope that all players were honest and truthful in their stand that none of them was involved in any kind of tampering of the ball, no matter how trivial or accidental.

The Pakistan team, coach, fans, and many signifant people have taken a strong stand in support of Pakistan. A lot of people have risked their credibility, not to mention of our nation on this issue, and I just hope and pray that none of our players was actually involved.

To be honest, I did think Asif was pretty aggressive and suspicious in how he was handling the ball.

On a side note, I also didn't like the arrogance in Asif's demeanour during the past two days. All that praise might be getting to his head.

[the_game]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

This team and none of its members will ever lie to Inzamam. Ever. If Inzi asked them about it and they all denied, they haven't done it. Inzi would never put his career on the line if we had done something wrong.

[Kaka_MaNNa]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

If Inzy's career is on the line, I am buying baseball equipment for my son. F*** cricket english their aussie racist pigs at ICC can shove it where sun doesn't shine.

[lunaticCalm]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

I think thats what happened during the tea interval. He (inzi) must have asked each of the men involved in the incident, and having cleared his conscience decided to stage a sit in.
Woolmer needs to clarify his comments - is he considering resigning in light of the unfair treatment handed to pakistan or does he suspect some hera-phari by the players.

[Nancy_Drew]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

wat is happening

[Wiseman]

Re: THIS IS BIG: England Triggered ball row - Confirmed

Listen Guys, why we are asking our players to take a oath? There were 26 cameras from Sky sport and there are hunderds of hunderds of reel and pictures. Everybody who see the film AGREES that no hanky panky was done to the ball.

I am hurt and disappointed of you guys to start blaming our payers without any proof, just like racist pig headed Hair. :(