The refusal by the two top teams to play the games scheduled in Colombo caused severe financial problems for Sri Lanka, who were one of the co-hosts, Bindra pointed out.

Consequently, a sum of $75,000 due to the West Indies has been held up by the World Cup organising committee PILCOM, while process for recovery of a similar sum from Australia is on.

The exact amount of penalties to be collected from the two teams was being worked out, Bindra said.

Meanwhile sponsors ITC has also staked a claim for recovery of an estimated Rs 250 million worth of losses incurred by the refusal of the West Indies and Australia to play on Sri Lankan soil.

PILCOM would decide on this issue in the very near future, said Bindra who was one of the members of the three-nation committee. In the event of any dispute, the matter would be referred to the Interna- tional Cricket Conference, Bindra said.