CHENNAI, Aug 13: India Cements, the champions last year, will not be there to defend the title in this year's All India Buchi Babu Invitation cricket tournament which gets under way on Thursday.

Ashok Kumbhat, secretary, TNCA, was at pains to explain the decision to exclude India Cements from the tournament in a press conference on Tuesday.

He said it was a normal practice to include the sponsor's team and India Cements could not be accommodated separately. ``India Cements were the sponsors last year. I sent a letter asking them to sponsor this year too. There was no response,"said Khumbat.

The decision of the TNCA not to disturb the first division league which will be conducted during the period and non hiring of Guru Nanak ground meant dearth of turf pitches and the TNCA had to pitch for MCC ground in Tambaram which is some 30 km away from city. The winner will get Rs. 30,000 besides the trophy and the runners-up Rs. 15,000. Each team will get Rs. 5000 as appearance fee for every match.

The matches will be of three days duration with the first innings restricted to 95 and the second innings to 40 overs. There will be field restriction with not more than five fieldsmen on the onside at the instant of delivery throughout the match and not more than two behind the popping crease.

The participating teams are MAC TNCA XI, TNCA President's XI, MRF, KSCA, Indian Airlines, Air India, Indian Oil Club, Punjab CA, Districts XI and HCA XI.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.