Sehwag eligible for Mohali Test: Dalmiya

Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Monday asserted that Virendra Sehwag was 'eligible' for being selected in the first cricket Test between India and England, starting in Mohali next week.

However, a final decision on Sehwag's selection is left to the BCCI selection committee, Dalmiya told a press conference in New Delhi.

Dalmiya firmly ruled out any split in the ICC arising out of the stand off on the Mike Denness affair.

"ICC will never be split not today, not in 100 years ... reports of any split in the ICC are totally uncalled for," Dalmiya said after an emergency meeting of the BCCI working committee.

"The Indian board will not allow it (split) to happen even if some other board tries to," Dalmiya said.

British media reports have suggested that the confrontation between BCCI and ICC over the Denness affair could lead to a possible split of the cricket governing body.

Dalmiya called for evolving a forum that will address appeals by member countries against decisions of match referees. There is also a need for a code of conduct for match referees, he added.

Dalmiya said the BCCI is 'pained' to see reports suggesting that the ICC would consider India's suspension.

To a question, Dalmiya said the BCCI will work on all 'appropriate measures' to get the third Test at Centurion in South Africa declared as 'official'.

Meanwhile, ICC reiterated its position that the ongoing third and final match between India and South Africa was unofficial and that Sehwag would have to miss the Mohali Test.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said, "The ICC has not changed its position on the status of the match."

The Mike Denness controversy

Mail Cricket Editor