UCB appeals to India not to boycott Third Test

South Africa's cricket authorities have appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India to go ahead with the third Test match which is due to start at SuperSport Park on Friday.

The appeal comes after the ICC's refusal to replace Mike Denness as match referee for the third Test and in response to the Indian threat to boycott the match if Denness is not withdrawn. At the same time, however, United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola has urged the ICC to implement an appeal process for all disciplinary hearings.

"The disciplinary procedures with regard to cricket matches are one of the few instances in world sport in which there is no recourse to appeal for affected players or officials," said Majola.

The UCB has found itself caught in the middle of the crisis that erupted in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday after Denness imposed a variety of penalties on six Indian players.

A statement issued on Wednesday night points out that while the UCB is sympathetic to the Indian position, it is bound by ICC regulations. Majola also claimed that South African cricket would suffer substantial financial losses if the third Test was cancelled.

"These losses would severely hamper our efforts to bring cricket to the whole nation. In the interests of the South African and Indian public who stand to lose the most if the third Test match is not played, we appeal to the BCCI and the Indian team to take the field on Friday and to play this crucial Test," said Majola.