Cricket Update: ICC World Cup 2011- Sri Lankan World Cup venues yet to be ready-International Cricket Council
According to a recent development regarding the preparedness of the cricket venues in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 for the upcoming Cricket World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has admitted that some facilities in Sri Lanka still need some
work to be completed.
Talking on the subject, the ICC media and communications manager James Fitzgerald revealed that the ICC had asked Sri Lanka to shift the venues for the upcoming series against West Indies because there was still some work that needed to be completed on the
venues.
The matches of the series against the tourists were scheduled to be played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota and R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo.
However, after receiving ICC’s directives, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided to relocate the matches to Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo. According to reports, the matches that were previously planned to be day and night are now going to be only a day
event.
This was confirmed in a press release issued by SLC. The release stated, “However, SLC wishes to announce that in view of a directive issued by the ICC to the effect that no games should be played at any of the World Cup venues, SLC is compelled to make
the above changes."
Fitzgerald revealed that according to the rules of the ICC, non-event activities are not allowed on the venues 21 days prior to the first fixture of the mega event or 14 days prior to the first warm up game.
By this rule, it was obvious that Sri Lanka could not hold the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the venues designated for next month’s World Cup.
“The ICC insisted on this exclusivity period due to the fact that there is still some work required to be carried out on the venues, so clearly it's what's best for the tournament. We informed SLC of this in the first week of January." Fitzgerald
said.
The authorities in Sri Lanka also confirmed the relocation of the matches.
“The World Cup venues for matches have been officially handed over to the ICC this month and ICC rules allow us to practice but not play until the World Cup starts," Sri Lanka Cricket media manager Brian Thomas reiterated.
However, there were reports in Sri Lankan media that some senior players of the national team had expressed their concern over the condition of the wicket in R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
These claims in the media were rubbished by the chairman of Sri Lanka cricket, DS de Silva, who said,
“There is no truth in these reports. There was no accusation whatsoever from the players. In both R Premadasa Stadium and Hambantota International Stadium, the pitch is ready, wicket is ready, grandstand is in very good condition and media room is ready."
Sri Lanka will play their opening match in the World Cup on the 20th of February at Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
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