NEW DELHI, June 27: India’s cricketers began pre-season training under new coach Greg Chappell on Monday despite growing uncertainty over their first two engagements in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Indians are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in late July for a one-day series also featuring the West Indies before joining New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe for another limited-overs showdown in August-September.

Both events are, however, mired in controversy. A contracts dispute threatens the West Indies’ trip to Sri Lanka, while the New Zealand government wants its team to boycott Zimbabwe in protest against the Robert Mugabe regime.

Unless both issues are settled amicably, the Indians may have no one to play against.

All eyes are focused on London where the sport’s administrators have gathered for the annual meetings of the ICC which end on Tuesday.

The West Indies, who are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka next week for two Test matches preceding the one-dayers, are struggling to assemble a team due to a sponsorship tussle between the players and their cricket board.—AFP