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Richardson allays fears

Sports Reporter
ICC general manager Dave Richardson gave an indication that there was nothing for Bangladesh cricket to be worried about, concerning the International Cricket Council's (ICC) future plans.
There has been a lot of whispering about Bangladesh's Test status, decreasing the number of matches, especially Tests, and their playing only at home but there was no such indication from the former South Africa wicketkeeper when he was exchanging views with the media in an informal meeting at a local
hotel yesterday.
Richardson visited the country as part of the ICC centenary programmes. The 'Catch the Spirit' flag travelled in the country to celebrate the occasion and it will travel through all ICC member countries across the globe to promote the spirit of the sport.
The ICC official took part in different programmes, which also included meeting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials and the media people. Everybody was however keen to know the ICC's stance regarding the new FTP (Future Tours Programme) and globalisation.
"The ICC wants to make sure that children are showing their interest towards the game
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and that parents are coming with their children to watch the cricket match. Actually our aim is to grow the interest amongst the new generation,” said Richardson in his initial statement to describe the importance of the centenary celebrations.
He went on to touch on different issues during an hour-long lively discussion.
As per whispering there has been a thinking of a new FTP in a four year cycle which would definitely cut down the matches for Bangladesh and thus make an adverse impact in the revenue stream as well as in the development of the game.
Richardson also informed that there had been discussions in three options but it's nothing
rather than preliminary talks. He also branded the newsystem a'complicated one'.
The question was also raised about the ICC president David Morgan's recent comment on a newspaper regarding Bangladesh's Test performance but Richardson said that their main concentration was to find ways of making Test cricket more attractive and competitive.
Bangladesh have yet to tour India for a full series, and Richardsnn confirmed ihut the game's governing body had hardly any scope to intervene on this issue, rather it depended on the respective countries.
The issues like Indian Cricket League, bringing a balance in the three formats of the game, globalisation, next
World Cup. security concern, new revenue offer were also discussed.
The former wicketkeeper, who played 42 Tests and 122 GDIs, was also asked to comment on Bangladesh's performance in the tri-nation opener against Zimbabwe which they lost by 38 runs and in response he picked Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful to explain the defeat.
Richardson blamed Ashraful for his lack of. p.it.v::* • and recalled his teammate Jonty Rhodes's early performance.
"Jonty was also always in a hurry in his early days but in the second part of his career he could understand that there was no point to sit idle in the dressing room after forty minutes," he said with a smile.