Date:23/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/23/stories/2002102303932000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Vijayawada may host India-Windies one-dayer

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA OCT. 22. There is some good news for Vijayawadites!. The seventh one-day International cricket match between India and the West Indies is more or less certain to be played at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Statidum here on November 24.

Though no formal announcement had been made, an indication to this effect was given by the International Cricket Conference (ICC) referee and legendry South African all rounder Mike Procter here on Tuesday.

Mr. Procter arrived here on Tuesday to inspect the facilities available at the Municipal Stadium for according permission to host the one-day match. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) and its affiliate the Krishna District Cricket Association (KDCA) have for the past six months been making a desperate attempt to host the one-dayer.

The ICC referee visited the ground, dressing rooms and the net facilites and appeared to be quite satisfied with the arrangement. He also drove to the Gannavaram Airport to study the landing facilities and its distance to the ground, which is said to be a crucial deciding factor.

Mr. Procter who held discussions with the City Police Commissioner, Mr. N.V. Surendra Babu, Municipal Commissioner Pravin Prakash and office bearers of the ACA, told reporters that he would submit his opinion to the ICC by the next 24 hours. The ICC will intimate the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its consent or otherwise for the venue.

Dodging a direct reply as to whether the city was fit to host a one day International, Mr. Procter said he was satisfied with most of the arrangements. "But we have to look into other aspects like airport facilities, transport mode etc. But that (airport) shouldn't be a problem because it is only a 20 minutes ride,'' he said.

Asked about the conditions of the pitch, Mr. Procter said, "It appears to be a good batting pitch which is what we need for a one day match. But then the outfield needs to be improved further,'' he added in the same breath.

The association officials, however, sought to clarify that the outfield could not be developed during the past 10 days on account of rains in the city. But expressed the hope that things will be set right by another one week.

Replying to a question, Mr. Procter said that though Vijayawada had hosted a three-day match between the visiting Zimbawbe and the Board President X1 in March this year, it could not be considered as an international fixture.

Similarly, he felt that hosting of Women's World Cup matches and Under-19 international matches could not be equated with expertise in hosting a men's one-day international.

But then the overall satisfaction over the arrangements expressed by Mr. Procter and the confidence exuded by the ACA secretary Venkat Rao and other office bearers indicated that Vijayawada is all set to host the seventh one day International.

Also it is stated that with both Hyderabad and Vizag not keen on hosting the fixture, Vijayawada could be the obvious choice this time in the State.