BCCI: Can state associations afford IND vs ENG Tests?

The State associations cannot use the BCCI funds until the latter implement the Lodha reforms. India and England are set to play five-Test series. The first Test will be played from November 9 at Rajkot.

When wished to know whether the news reports to this effect were correct, sources told PTI, "We have written to the Test match staging associations as a precautionary measure asking them whether they can host the games. We are functioning on a day to day basis now rather than on a 3-4 month basis."

India and England are set to play five-Test series, starting from November 9. The cricket associations of Saurashtra, Andhra, Punjab, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu are scheduled to host the Tests at Rajkot, Vishakapatnam, Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai.

The fears have arisen ever since the Lodha Committee has instructed the state associations not to utilise the funds provided by the BCCI.

The revenue can be used if the BCCI implements the reforms recommended by the Supreme Court-appointed panel.

The sources have also made it clear that the Indian cricket board cannot sign a MoU with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) till it receives clearance from the Lodha Committee. "We cannot sign the contract," the sources reiterated.

Justice Lodha-led panel will soon appoint an independent auditor to oversee BCCI's affairs, as instructed by the apex court.