Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 22, 2006 17:50:37 GMT
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer insists his team want to put the ongoing ball-tampering controversy behind them and are keen to play the forthcoming one-day series with England.
With captain Inzamam-ul-Haq up on disrepute charges following Pakistan's refusal to take the field in light of ball-tampering allegations at The Oval, there had been claims that the tourists might opt to scrap the rest of their schedule in England.
However, Woolmer has now to come out to state that Pakistan will look to fulfil their commitments by taking part in the five-match ODI series.
"We are keen to play the One Day Internationals," he told Sky Sports News. "We are keen to get on board and play cricket, that is what we are here for.
"But this has all taken us to another level and it is not easy to come to terms with.
"We want to play. We are here to play. We need One Day Internationals to prepare for the World Cup and we want to play cricket and get rid of this polarisation.
"We need to bring the two parties together again and try to find some sort of way that cricket will get back on its feet again."
However, the former England international did not go as far as guaranteeing that his side would play the one-day series should the charge of ball-tampering be upheld at Inzamam's disciplinary meeting on Friday.
"I think the major sticking point will be the ball-tampering," he continued.
"This ball is almost brand new. The genuine ball-tampering that may have occurred in the past would have scuffed up the ball far more.
"The mood in the camp is confused and disappointed by what has happened. We are all trying to get our heads around exactly what has happened over the last days, it all happened rather quickly."
Woolmer did, though, insist that he had total faith in the ICC to provide a fair and balanced hearing in what he conceded was an extraordinary case.
"I am confident in the ICC," he said. "They do wonderful job and these sort of situations test us all.
"There is no handbook as to how to handle situations like this.
"In the end we know that ICC have to support their staff and the umpires are part of their staff. So that is an important part of cricket.
"It is important to realise that if you are given out LBW you don't question the decision. I believe this is a slightly different case."
With captain Inzamam-ul-Haq up on disrepute charges following Pakistan's refusal to take the field in light of ball-tampering allegations at The Oval, there had been claims that the tourists might opt to scrap the rest of their schedule in England.
However, Woolmer has now to come out to state that Pakistan will look to fulfil their commitments by taking part in the five-match ODI series.
"We are keen to play the One Day Internationals," he told Sky Sports News. "We are keen to get on board and play cricket, that is what we are here for.
"But this has all taken us to another level and it is not easy to come to terms with.
"We want to play. We are here to play. We need One Day Internationals to prepare for the World Cup and we want to play cricket and get rid of this polarisation.
"We need to bring the two parties together again and try to find some sort of way that cricket will get back on its feet again."
However, the former England international did not go as far as guaranteeing that his side would play the one-day series should the charge of ball-tampering be upheld at Inzamam's disciplinary meeting on Friday.
"I think the major sticking point will be the ball-tampering," he continued.
"This ball is almost brand new. The genuine ball-tampering that may have occurred in the past would have scuffed up the ball far more.
"The mood in the camp is confused and disappointed by what has happened. We are all trying to get our heads around exactly what has happened over the last days, it all happened rather quickly."
Woolmer did, though, insist that he had total faith in the ICC to provide a fair and balanced hearing in what he conceded was an extraordinary case.
"I am confident in the ICC," he said. "They do wonderful job and these sort of situations test us all.
"There is no handbook as to how to handle situations like this.
"In the end we know that ICC have to support their staff and the umpires are part of their staff. So that is an important part of cricket.
"It is important to realise that if you are given out LBW you don't question the decision. I believe this is a slightly different case."