Using advanced scientific methods to determine age,the BCCI has caught 230 overage cricketers playing in the under-16 category across the country. The first-of-its-kind centralised tests,which included bone tests done by the Tanner-Whitehouse3 (TW3) method to assess skeletal maturity,were carried out over the last three weeks. Eleven overage players were found in the u-16 side at the Mumbai Cricket Association,one of the countrys better managed cricket bodies. The boards chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said the issue was earlier under the purview of the local associations,and the board would get complaints about players age. Local associations used to conduct their own tests and submit doctors reports to us. We have now appointed a radiologist to take X-rays images and email them to the BCCI. The report is then sent to two experts who separately determine the players age, Shetty told The Indian Express. Shetty said the tests,suggested to BCCI by sports doctor and former hockey player Vece Paes,would for now be restricted to u-16 players. It is tough to get concrete result at the u-19 level. We will share data about each u-16 player with the respective associations,which will eventually help to weed out the problem at the u-19 level as well, Shetty said. Cricketers have often produced letters from gram panchayats or forged birth certificates as proof of age. The fraud had provoked BCCI to scrap the annual Polly Umrigar school tourney some years ago. Shetty said alleged offenders can appeal,following which the BCCI would order a re-check by a different expert. This is the first time the Indian board is doing such testing. There can be hiccups,but it will keep the cheats away,at least, Shetty said.
