Eden not to host Ind-Eng World Cup tie: ICC
Kolkata: In a big jolt to the Kolkata cricket fans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday ruled out the city for the India-England match scheduled for February 27 at the Eden Gardens.
A venue inspection team, which included the Tournament Director, members of the Central Organising Committe (COC) and the ICC, on Thursday reported on the readiness of five under-construction venues to host matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
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 frame not exceeding 14 days.
The expert report, however, determined that Eden Gardens in Kolkata would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the India vs England ICC Cricket World Cup match on 27 February.
"All venues had ample time in which to prepare for world cup matches. We had been understanding and had provided extensions to the deadline dates but unfortunately we are now at a point where we must carefully manage our risks," the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC, Haroon Lorgat, said in a press release.
"The COC had provided venues with a deadline of 30 November 2010 to complete all construction work and then to be match-ready by 31 December 2010. An extension was granted by the ICC for five venues, which were again inspected over the past week. Sadly, Eden Gardens in Kolkata was unable to meet the final deadline date of 25 January 2011," Lorgat added.
"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,” Lorgat said.
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