November 08 Friday 2002
India cricket tour of New Zealand is on, says Dalmiya 

NEW DELHI: India will go ahead with next month's tour of New Zealand despite a pay dispute between the host players and authorities, the country's cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said here on Thursday.

"As far as the Indian cricket board is concerned, our team will certainly tour New Zealand," said Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Doubts were raised over the tour after New Zealand's players had looked set to go on strike over a pay dispute with their cricket board. 

The Cricket Players Association rejected Tuesday a pay offer while their employers, New Zealand Cricket, cancelled any further talks and said the two sides had reached an impasse.

"What is happening in New Zealand is an internal matter between their players and cricket authorites. We'll be happy to play against any team fielded by the hosts," Dalmiya said in a statement.

India are scheduled to play two Tests and seven one-day internationals on the upcoming tour of New Zealand.