International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat said the ICC has found a solution to the contentious whereabouts clause of the WADA anti-doping code and a consensus would be reached on the matter by next week.
““We are very close to resolving the issue of the whereabouts clause. It’s the only contentious point of the WADA resolve. We have found a solution and hopefully the issue will be resolved,” Lorgat said.
“We have got a board meeting coming up next week with the ICC executive board members. We are working closely with all our cricket members. We will present that final proposal to the boardmen and hopefully, by next week we should have found a consensus on that particular proposal,” he added.
The clause requires cricketers to furnish details of their whereabouts three months in advance to the World Anti-Doping Agency. Players have rejected the WADA code because of this clause, saying it’s a violation of their privacy and poses a security threat as well.
Meanwhile, Lorgat asserted that preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup in the sub-continent were going according to plans and the Wankhede and the Ferozshah Kotla stadium would be ready on time to stage the multi-national event.
“In terms of preparations for World Cup we are satisfied.
It’s going according to plans. Wankhede stadium, in particular had issues with one section of the reconstruction. I understand that the issue has now been resolved,” Lorgat said.
“We have been assured that the work will be completed on time. There will be inspections from time to time. I’m sure that the stadium will be completed on time,” he added.
The reconstruction at the Wankhede stadium has been mired in controversy after a petitioner challenged it in the Bombay High Court stating that that renovation was yet to get clearances under Environment Protection Act and coastal regulation zone rules.
The petitioner further alleged that existing headquarters of the Cricket Board and Indian Premier League (IPL) within the stadium premises too are illegal.
On the Kotla pitch, which was termed ‘substandard’ for Twenty20 cricket by Anil Kumble and Gautam Gambhir recently, Lorgat said the ICC was working with the DDCA to improve the quality of the track.
“The only thing we can do is to work with the DDCA. We have got Andy Atkinson, the ICC pitch consultant, he will work with them over the next few months. It is important that we get the Kotla pitch upto a certain standard as it is an important World Cup venue. So now to the end of the year, we will work with the DDCA to get the pitch upto the required standard,” Lorgat said.
Asked whether the ICC was considering any other options in case the Kotla remained unfit, Lorgat said, “It is a bit presumptuous. There is time from now till February next year to get the pitch in good condition.”
