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Eden Gardens may well host three non-India matches of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup after losing out on the India-England match to Bangalore.
Speaking to newspersons here after signing a deal that made Hyundai the official car partner for the premier event, ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat described the chances of Eden Gardens holding three matches in March as “very good.”
He said, “We received a preliminary report after yesterday's inspection and the ICC is happy with the progress made at the Eden Gardens in the past week. In all likelihood, Kolkata will hold the remaining matches in March.”
Non-India matches
The three non-India matches slated in Kolkata are South Africa-England (March 15), the Netherlands-Ireland (March 18) and Zimbabwe-Kenya (March 20).
The lack of preparedness of the venue had forced the shifting of the India-England match on February 27 to Bangalore.
When asked about the possibility of Eden Gardens getting to host the India-Ireland match, Lorgat said, “It is extremely difficult because all kinds of logistics are involved.”
On the subject of match-fixing, particularly involving players from Pakistan, Lorgat said, “It is an unfortunate reality, but greed is not restricted to any particular city or region. The ICC follows a zero-tolerance policy on the subject. We have measures in place to bring to book, the perpetrators of these activities.”
Legalising betting
He also reiterated that the ICC was in talks with the Indian authorities and was looking on ways how betting could be legalised in the country.
“In countries, like Australia, where betting is legal or regulated, it is not so difficult to manage the issue of temptation to corruption.”
Speaking to newspersons here after signing a deal that made Hyundai the official car partner for the premier event, ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat described the chances of Eden Gardens holding three matches in March as “very good.”
He said, “We received a preliminary report after yesterday's inspection and the ICC is happy with the progress made at the Eden Gardens in the past week. In all likelihood, Kolkata will hold the remaining matches in March.”
Non-India matches
The three non-India matches slated in Kolkata are South Africa-England (March 15), the Netherlands-Ireland (March 18) and Zimbabwe-Kenya (March 20).
The lack of preparedness of the venue had forced the shifting of the India-England match on February 27 to Bangalore.
When asked about the possibility of Eden Gardens getting to host the India-Ireland match, Lorgat said, “It is extremely difficult because all kinds of logistics are involved.”
On the subject of match-fixing, particularly involving players from Pakistan, Lorgat said, “It is an unfortunate reality, but greed is not restricted to any particular city or region. The ICC follows a zero-tolerance policy on the subject. We have measures in place to bring to book, the perpetrators of these activities.”
Legalising betting
He also reiterated that the ICC was in talks with the Indian authorities and was looking on ways how betting could be legalised in the country.
“In countries, like Australia, where betting is legal or regulated, it is not so difficult to manage the issue of temptation to corruption.”