NAGPUR, Nov 25: The bat breadth continues to raise a stink even after it appeared to have subsided from where it had originated -- Mohali. This time round, the issue was triggered off by the South African umpire Cyril Mitchley -- here for the second Test between India and Sri Lanka.

Mitchley wants the International Cricket Council (ICC) to put the onus on the batsmen to see that the bats they use conform to the laws of the game.

For the uninitiated, Mitchley was reacting to the controversy generated when a bat, used by the Lankans in the first Test against India at Mohali, was found to be 1/8th of an inch wider than what was permitted by the laws of cricket.

Mitchley's contention is: "If the balls can be checked by the umpires whether they are tampered with or not during the course of play, why not the bats?" Elaborating further, he said, "in fact I have told (Match Referee) Bob Simpson to suggest to the ICC to put a clause in black and white (in print) and place the onus on the batsmen on the issue and not allow them to take recourse by stating it was the fault of the manufacturers."

Mitchley, with an experience of 19 Tests teams up with India's VK Ramaswamy, who would be standing in his 22nd Test for the Test commencing at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) ground, here tomorrow.

Recalling the incident at Mohali, Simpson said: "I told the Lankan manager to bring the bat and found it to be slightly broader than was permitted on measuring it with a tape. I also made sure to have all the bats, used by both the teams, to be measured for the width."

"I have told both the team managers that it was their responsibility to see there are no more such problems, and I believe in their integrity," he concluded.

While supporting the idea of using floodlights in order to complete the daily quota of 90 overs, Simpson made it clear that in the ongoing series, there is no provision for the use of lights.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.