From Eden Gardens to garden city

ICC confirms shifting India-England game to Bangalore; Kolkata battles to save remaining three matches.

Putting an end to speculations of Eden Gardens still salvaging the India-England World Cup game,the International Cricket Council on Monday officially approved BCCIs alternate venue and gave Bangalores Chinnaswamy Stadium the go-ahead to host the February 27 game. The late switch was warranted after the ICC inspection team found construction and renovation work pending at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The ICC today confirmed its decision to relocate the venue for the India vs England match in the Cricket World Cup 2011,which had been originally scheduled for Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 27 February. It will now take place in Bengaluru on the same date. The BCCI has responded to the ICC nominating Bengaluru as its preferred alternate venue for the match,a recommendation the ICC agrees to. This decision now clarifies and gives us certainty over the fixture. We can now work with our various partners and stakeholders to make sure that match along with the rest of the tournament is all it should be, ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

Mondays statement though has started another debate in Kolkata of saving hosting rights for the remaining three World Cup matches. The ICC will make a fresh inspection on February 7 to assess Edens preparedness and take a call on the other games. In a letter to the BCCI yesterday,the ICC outlined a schedule of works that needed to be carried out at Eden Gardens ahead of the grounds other scheduled fixtures on 15,18 and 20 March, the statement said. The remaining matches at the Eden are Ireland vs South Africa (March 15),Ireland vs Netherlands (March 18) and Kenya vs Zimbabwe (March 20).

Roof construction put off
Meanwhile,the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) may yet again not be in a position to comply with all the guidelines laid down by the ICC,with work on the stadium roof being the bone of contention. According to sources,the CAB had decided to complete the roof only after IPL IV that starts immediately after the World Cup but it has been noted down as one of the various projects by the ICC that needs to be completed before the inspection.

The ICC has said that the Eden Gardens has to be ready with all concrete,structural work,seating arrangements,media broadcasting centre (50 per cent completion),fitting of AC and power equipment by February 7. The ICC has also reeled out eight different guidelines for their next inspection on February 14 and 22.

At this point of time,we are not in a position to touch the construction of roof. We will be intimating that to the International Cricket Councils inspection team that will arrive on February 7. Also its not possible for us to construct the roof on the Ranji Stands (J,J1 Blocks) and also the K Block, a senior CAB office-bearer admitted on Monday.

CAB treasurer Subir Ganguly was more forthcoming in his objections to the ICCs demands of completing the roof. There is nothing to worry about. We cant have shade in all the blocks within this timeframe. Does the stadium in Bangladesh have roof covers? Ganguly asked.

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They have already taken away the prime match. We will show the world that the venue is ready by February 7. Now its up to them. You go to Bangladesh,even the road leading from airport to the stadium is not completed but they have no objection there, Ganguly said.