ICC to visit Eden to assess preparations for non-India matches

Kolkata:

Having lost out on the India-England match, question marks still remain on the Cricket Association of Bengal's preparedness to host the three non-India World Cup matches in March, and the ICC team will inspect it again on February 7 to assess progress.

As per the ICC's outline that has been intimated to CAB, the roof construction work in all the blocks should be completed by February 14 when the world governing body will be here for the second round of inspection.

However, in its reply, the CAB has expressed its inability to cover the roof with metal sheet in all the blocks, thus raising the possibility of losing the March 15, March 18 and March 20 games.

CAB treasurer Subir Ganguly argued that nowhere the roofs are covered, so it's fine with Eden Gardens.

"There is nothing to worry about. We can't have shade in all the blocks within this timeframe. Does the stadium in Bangladesh have roof covers?" Ganguly asked.

"They have already taken away the prime match. We will show the world that the venue is ready by February 7. Now it's 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," was Ganguly's argument.

The ICC, in its mail has specified the works for each of its inspection as they will have their final round on February 22.

As per the mail, the ICC wants Eden Gardens to be ready with all concrete, structural work, seating arrangements, media broadcasting centre (50 per cent completion), and fitting of AC and power equipment by February 7.

Likewise, ICC has specified a set of eight guidelines for their inspection on February 14 and 22.

"We have sent the reply specifying that we will be ready by February 7. We still maintain that we can host the India-England match," CAB Joint-Secretary Biswarup Dey said.