ICC to revisit Eden Gardens on Jan 31
As West Bengal nurses its wound from the shocking ICC jolt that junked the iconic Eden Gardens as a venue of the most awaited Feb 27 World Cup match, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said on Friday the world cricket governing body would visit again on Jan 31 to pass a final judgement on Feb 1.
“The ICC team will visit again on Jan 31. They will then let us know their final decision on Feb 1,” said CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey on Friday.
He said while only seats of some blocks (Block B and C) are yet to the finished, while all other work would be ready by Feb 7.
He said all ICC specifications are being met and most preparations are complete.
On Thursday, leaving the cricket authorities in this eastern city egg-faced, the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled out Eden Gardens as the venue for a key World Cup match between India and England after it found on inspection that the stadium’s renovation might not meet the deadline.
The February 27 match will now be shifted to another unnamed venue, the ICC said, evoking strong reactions across the state of West Bengal.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya told a press conference that he has written to the Indian cricket board president to take up the matter with ICC.
“I have written a letter to the BCCI president (Shashank Manohar) to take up the matter with ICC. We have not given up,? Dalmiya said.
He said ?we will continue with the progress of the work? and ?we strongly feel that we still hold a chance.”
He said till Feb 7 should be given to CAB to complete the work.
A venue inspection team which included the Tournament Director, members of the Central Organising Committe (COC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), have on Thursday reported on the readiness of five outstanding venues scheduled to host matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The expert report determined that Eden Gardens in Kolkata would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the India v England ICC Cricket World Cup match on 27 February.
Following the inspection tour, the three Sri Lanka venues ? Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele ? as well as Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai have been approved subject to minor finishing work being completed within specified time frames not exceeding 14 days.
Of particular concern was the fact that host venue obligations in relation to cricket operations, media, broadcast and sponsorship facilities were not finalized and/or confirmed by the venue.
The ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the decision and, as host, the association will now consider an alternate venue for approval by the ICC.
?Regrettably, Eden Gardens has not made sufficient progress to justify the level of confidence required to confirm that the venue would be ready in good time. This was no easy decision to take and while it is most unfortunate, it is absolutely necessary,? said Lorgat.
The inspection team drew on the knowledge and experience of some of the leading experts in the field of stadium and ground preparation and the view was that Eden Gardens would not be ready by the 27 February.
The ICC has also recognised the challenge of relocating a scheduled match.
Tournament Director Ratnakar Shetty earlier said: ?We will work with the new venue, the tour operators and the ticket distributors to manage the logistical challenges that will surely arise.?