Bacher no-balls Indian cricket's critics

DURBAN: Ali Bacher is an old friend of Indian cricket and it clearly reflects in his words and acts.
The former South African cricket boss and captain is now leading a retired life away from cricket administration. He's tied up with several other engagements which includes heading Right to Care, a non-government organization, which, through funds from the United States, finances the clinical care and treatment of over 1,25,000 HIV-positive individuals in South Africa each year.That though hasn't forced him to lose touch with the sport.
Admittedly a friend of India and Indian cricket, Bacher keeps repeated tabs on the game in the subcontinent, and as the cricketers frustrate their counterparts on the field - and administrators off it in their own particular manner - the bitterness and hypocrisy of their rivals has not escaped his attention.
"The boot is now on the other foot. Is that the correct saying," he asks, expressing dismay over how England and Australia, who dominated world cricket for ages, are now acting like the ignorant boy who cried wolf.
"Tony Greig has a short memory. No one needs telling that England and Australia have controlled world cricket. I remember at ICC meetings, members from the subcontinent were good listeners. The key decisions were always taken by Australia and England, while the rest remained passive participants," says Bacher, his comments clearly aimed at South African-born Greig's call for an end to India's "domination" of the ICC.
"India is not a force in world cricket without a reason. The money is in abundance, they have the biggest cricket market and the hub of world cricket, everyone admits, is India. I cannot figure out why India should not have a key role (in international cricket affairs)," said Bacher, who has now accepted a consultant role with South Africa Tourism.