Services banned from this year's Ranji season

New Delhi, Nov 3 : BCCI today banned Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) cricket team from this year's Ranji Trophy season after they refused to tour Srinagar for a Plate Division match against Jammu and Kashmir, citing security reasons.

''The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) cricket team was scheduled to play a Ranji Trophy game against Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) at Srinagar from November 3 to November 6 2009.

''However, the SSCB forfeited the match, having expressed its inability to send its cricket team to Srinagar. The SSCB has therefore been disqualified from participating in the 2009-10 edition of the Ranji Trophy, in accordance with the rules of the BCCI pertaining to Domestic Tournaments,'' BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

''A decision on any further action against the SSCB will be taken by the BCCI's Working Committee,'' the statement added.

The Services team wasn't convinced about their safety in J&K despite assurances from Dr Farooq Abdullah, the president of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association.

It has also been learnt that the state cricket body offered a special security force for the Services team, both at the team hotel and at the ground.

Meanwhile, J&K team skipper Vinayak Mane expressed disappointment over the Services not turning up for the game.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
Unauthorised publication of any content from NewKerala.Com is prohibited