Dutch cricket board investigate Gruijters' claims


(MENAFN- Kora)

Batsman Gruijters was replaced by Tom Cooper in the Dutch squad for the tournament in Bangladesh on Saturday due to an apparent lower back injury



Australia-born batsman Cooper became available to play after South Australia narrowly missed out on a place in the Sheffield Shield final



However, Gruijters has since claimed in a video posted on YouTube that he was fit to play in the competition despite his back problems, alleging that he was forced into having a scan to reveal the injury



Gruijters stressed that he has learned how to handle his pre-existing back condition, accusing the Dutch coaching staff of "hoodwinking" the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to make the change



Responding to the video, the KNCB released a statement confirming that they will now look into the allegations, although they stressed that the national team management have denied Gruijters' version of events



The KNCB statement read: "The Board of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) regrets the controversy which has arisen following the departure of Tim Gruijters from the Dutch squad at the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh



"The account of Tim Gruijters himself regarding the course of events differs from the account of the team management in Bangladesh. Those present there are coach Anton Roux, KNCB technical director Roland Lefebvre, physiotherapist Jan Stappenbelt and team manager Ed van Nierop



"In conformity with ICC regulations the injured player Tim Gruijters has been replaced by Tom Cooper for the duration of the World Twenty20 tournament. The ICC Event Technical Committee has approved this replacement under its regulations



"The KNCB Board has as a result of the current controversy initiated an investigation and shall take evidence from all the relevant parties in order to gain understanding of the course of events.



The statement came just hours before the Netherlands got their World Twenty20 campaign under way against the United Arab Emirates in Sylhet










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