23 May,2011 06:27 AM IST | | Clayton Murzello
From Manchester to Cardiff, India's cricket World Cup heroes will play in front of packed houses this English summer as tickets for September's one-day international series between India and England have been sold out at the five venues.
This was conveyed to Board of Control for Cricket in India chief administrative office Professor Ratnakar Shetty as he undertook a seven-day recce tour of the United Kingdom.
"It was a fruitful trip. I noticed how the English grounds have undergone redevelopment too. The Indian team can look forward to a tour where facilities will be top-class. The drainage system is advanced and almost every ground has an indoor practice facility," said Shetty, who returned late on Saturday night alongwith former India player Suru Nayak, the BCCI's operations-in-charge.
There was reported frustration by some members of the team over the size of the hotel rooms when India toured England last for a Test and one-day series in 2007. Shetty sounded confident that there would be no issues on that score.
The tourists will stay at Crown Plaza during their London games while they will check in to The Marriot and Park Plaza at other venues.
Shetty also informed that the England and Wales Cricket Board will host an official function to mark the 100th Test between India and England during the Lord's Test (July 21-25). The Lord's game will also be the 2000th match in Test history
India in England schedule:
>> First Test, Lord's (July 21-25)
>> Second Test, Trent Bridge (July 29-Aug 2)
>> Third Test, Edgbaston (Aug 10 to 14)
>> Fourth Test, The Oval (Aug 18 to 22)
>> T20 international, Manchester (Aug 31)
>> First ODI at Chester-le-Street (Sept 3)
>> Second ODI at Southampton (Sept 6)
>> Third ODI at The Oval (Sept 9)
>> Fourth ODI at Lord's (Sept 11)
>> Fifth ODI at Cardiff (Sept 16)
