The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) want to field a full-strength side for the cricket event, being introduced for the first time at the Games, which run from Sept 11-21. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would prefer to send the national team to a lucrative five-match series against Pakistan in Canada.

The IOA left out cricket when it submitted India's entries for the Games by Tuesday's deadline. Randhir Singh, the IOA secretary, said he could press for a last-minute inclusion ``provided the BCCI agreed to send its best players''. Jayant Lele, secretary of the BCCI, said he would not be ``dictated to'' by the IOA.

Kevin Curran, the Northamptonshire captain, has been awarded a benefit year in 1999. The 38-year-old all-rounder, born in Zimbabwe, joined Northants from Gloucestershire in 1991 and gained his county cap the next season.

Kent should find out next week if the English Cricket Board will be taking any action after Tuesday's one-day game against the Sri Lankans had to be restarted when the umpires decided the Canterbury pitch was unfit.