Mixed response to Wright's remark on zonal bias

Chennai, Aug 7 (UNI) Former cricketers gave mixed reaction to ex-Indian coach John Wright's remark that there was zonal bias in selecting the team, with deposed skipper Mohammed Azharuddin describing the Kiwi's comments as 'very immature'.

The occasion was a grand conglomerate of former cricketers at the Maayajal Sports Village held on the outskirts of the city to mark the eighth inter-zonal tournament organised by the Board of Veterans Cricket in India (BVCI) here last night.

Those present were Former selectors Syed Kirmani and Chetan Chauhan and Azharuddin among others.

When asked about Wright's remark, Azhar said, in the first place it should not have happened at all.

''Talking about it a few years after quitting as coach will not serve any purpose. He (Wright) should have raised it at that time (when he was the coach) and finished it off.'' There was no point in talking about the past, he said and described it as an 'immature' comment.

Asserting there was no zonal bias during his stint as captain of the Indian team, Azhar said, ''whatever happened has happened.

Talking now about the past is totally irrelevant. It's not good for the team and the country. It's not good for any one either.'' ''Nothing of that sort had happened during my time,'' he added.

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