The International Cricket Council has responded swiftly to Jagmohan Dalmiya's assertion that Virender Sehwag is available for selection for the Mohali Test between India and England next Monday, confirming that the Indian batsman is not eligible for the match. ICC also reiterated that the current match between India and South Africa at Centurion will not be awarded Test status, and counts only as a first-class match.

The ICC statement in full

The ICC today confirmed that its position remains unchanged with regard to both the status of the South Africa v India match at Centurion Park and the disciplinary penalty served on Indian batsman Virender Sehwag.

Commenting on reports from India that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continue to regard the match at Centurion as an official Test match, ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "The ICC has not changed its position on the status of the match. Last Thursday evening I advised the BCCI that because of its refusal to play under the properly appointed ICC match referee Mike Denness, the match would be stripped of its official status.

"On Sunday evening Percy Sonn, the President of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, supported this position to ICC President Malcolm Gray, by stating that the South African Board did not regard the match as an official Test match."

During discussions before the match with both Boards the ICC stressed that none of the officials appointed by the UCBSA (match referee Denis Lindsay and umpires Rudi Koertzen and Dave Orchard), would be acting as ICC representatives. Without the involvement of ICC officials the match cannot fulfil the formal requirements needed to achieve Test match status.

Turning to the position regarding Virender Sehwag Mr Speed said: "The ICC has confirmed the one match ban served on Virender Sehwag by Mike Denness. This means that he is ineligible for selection for the first Test against England starting in Mohali next Monday. We have notified this fact to Denis Lindsay, the properly appointed ICC match referee for the series."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd