THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Following his reprieve by the Kerala High Court, banned pacer S Sreesanth has written to the BCCI, seeking permission to resume his cricket career “both at national and international level without any further delay”.
The cricketer, whose life ban was lifted by the Kerala High Court earlier this week, has expressed his intention to revive his career at the earliest. Specifically, he has written for a a ‘Non Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate the Premier League to be held at Scotland with immediate effect’.
It is worth noting that Sreesanth has been in discussions with Glenrothes Cricket Club, a small Scottish team, to play for them if he gets an NOC from the BCCI.
Asked by Scottish daily The Courier if Glenrothes will be his first port of call on his return to the sport, Sreesanth said: “Hopefully, yes. What I know is that they still have some games left in the Cricket Scotland Premier League.
“Hopefully, I can play at least one match there. I have two goals left. One is to take 100 Test wickets. I am 13 short now. But a more realistic goal would be to win the Ranji Trophy for Kerala.”
The Kerala Cricket Association, which has backed Sreesanth from the beginning of his travails, has also written to the BCCI seeking its decision and directions on Sreesanth’s availability. In a statement, the KCA has said, ““With the domestic season around the corner, KCA would also like to support him and provide an opportunity to train/practice in the pre-season preparatory camps and selection trials at the earliest instance, subject to clearance from the Committee of Administrators/ BCCI.”
According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, in his letter to the BCCI on Wednesday, Sreesanth noted: “Even though I made repeated requests to lift the ban, particularly in the light of the discharge order of the learned Patiala Assistant Sessions Court, the authority concerned was not taken any positive decision in this regard. As a last resort I was constrained to approach the High Court of Kerala which quashed the ban and other punishment imposed against me pursuant to the disciplinary proceedings. The court also observed that there was no material or evidence before disciplinary committee to conclude that I was guilty of the violation of the Anti Corruption Code formulated by the BCCI.”
Sreesanth has reportedly started training for the upcoming season and has said that his aim is to find a place in the Kerala state team.
