All for Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test: MCA wants match at Wankhede
If MCA gets to host the second match of the series at Tendulkar's home ground, it would be an out of turn allotment as per the Cricket Board's rotation policy.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: September 04, 2013 11:58 am IST
Mumbai Cricket Association wants to host what would be senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test match against the West Indies in November at the Wankhede Stadium here.
If MCA gets to host the second match of the series at Tendulkar's home ground, it would be an out of turn allotment as per the Cricket Board's rotation policy. (Related: Eden Gardens too wants to host Sachin's 200th)
"We want to host Sachin's 200th Test match at the Wankhede Stadium even though it may not be our turn to do so. We will be sending a formal request to the BCCI to allot the second Test to us," MCA Joint Secretary Nitin Dalal told PTI on Wednesday. (Also read: West Indies confirm tour to India in November)
The BCCI has decided to squeeze in this short tour by the West Indies though it's not in the Future Tours Programme of the International Cricket Council. India was scheduled to tour South Africa around November as per the itinerary drawn up by Cricket South Africa. (Suggested read: How Cricket South Africa can lose millions due to BCCI)
The Tour, Programmes and Fixtures Committee of the Board will meet soon to draw up the schedule of the tour which is expected to comprise two Tests and three ODIs.
Tendulkar is two short of completing 200 Test appearances and the short visit by the Caribbean cricketers offers the batting great the ideal opportunity to reach yet another landmark, which is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon, in the 40-year-old Mumbaikar's illustrious career.
An appearance in his 200th Test at his home ground would be the icing on the cake for the batsman, who has retired from ODIs and T20 Internationals