July 31, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1429

SYDNEY, July 30: Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has warned a split between the game’s administrators in Asian and Western nations might have disastrous consequences.

“It’s a concern for us, a concern for cricket and we can’t afford that [split],” he told a Sydney-based radio station 2KY. “Cricket in general can’t afford it. I think it will be the end of cricket if that ever happens and I really hope that isn’t the case.”

There have been tensions between members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the conduct of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, with Australia, England and New Zealand having doubts over the security situation in the country.

Players from these countries as well as South Africa have expressed concerns about the visit. Another conflict is the one between the BCCI and the ECB over the Twenty20 Champions League, with both boards now slated to conduct their own version of the tournament in October.

A recent move initiated by the ECB and Cricket South Africa to revoke Zimbabwe’s status as a Full Member at the ICC annual meet also ended in a stalemate, with the Asian countries supporting Zimbabwe’s membership.

Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, said boards needed to strengthen relations and avoid a fallout.

“I think they have to work at that relationship because there’s definitely the potential there for something like that [a split] to happen,” Waugh said.

“The Champions Trophy is coming to a head and certain teams not wanting to go will cause some issues in itself.

“Whether some teams go or they don’t, the differences of opinion might have wider repercussions.”

Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s general manager of public affairs, denied the chances of any split in world cricket.

“We’re certainly not thinking about any split and our relationship with the subcontinent is important.

“At the moment there are a number of issues facing world cricket. There are the Twenty20 concepts in England and India, and the issues dealing with Pakistan and the Champions Trophy are frighteningly difficult.

“It’s important for world cricket that Pakistan cricket is strong, and the only way they can stay strong is if the likes of Australia visit there regularly,” he said. “Pakistan have said they want us there, we’ve made it clear we want to come, but it has to be safe.” Young said Australia is likely to make their decision on visiting Pakistan around Aug 10.—Agencies