Sir, Karl Johnston's swinging attack (February 11th) on the way the Irish Cricket Union handled the news of Hansie Cronje's signing to play for Ireland in four Benson and Hedges matches is unjustified.
He complains that at our AGM, we kept the news of Cronje's coming under wraps in spite of a considerable media presence. Quite so, but for what I consider to, be a rather good reason. Cronje is sponsored by Independent Newspapers, and the United Cricket Board of South Africa made it very clear to us that the story must be released by the sponsors on Monday, February 10th. The ICU honoured this request from a generous sponsor and only released information at 2 pm on Tuesday, on our site at Cricinfo on the internet.
The ICU much appreciates the attention which Karl and his fellow cricket correspondents pay to the increasingly successful exploits of the national side. However, we must also show gratitude to those benefactors who contribute in a tangible way to the development of the game here. Yours, etc.,
Chairman,
Irish Cricket Union Portstewart,
Co Derry.