29 January,2011 06:16 AM IST | | AFP
The bosses of Kolkata's Eden Gardens insisted yesterday they could be ready to host next month's India-England World Cup clash after the venue was ruled out because of unfinished renovation work.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) sparked a logistical nightmare for organisers on Thursday by asking for an alternative stadium for the February 27 match because of concerns about unfinished facilities at the famous ground.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which runs the stadium, asked the the ICC to reconsider its controversial ruling, which raised further questions about India's ability to host major sporting events.
CAB chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, a former ICC president and himself a construction company owner, wrote to the Indian cricket board to convince the governing body to stick to the original schedule.
"(The ICC's decision) comes as a shock because when their inspection team was in Kolkata, we were given to understand that they were happy with the progress of the work and had suggested only a few minor modifications," said the letter, seen by AFP.
CAB chiefs promised they would hand over a completed Eden Gardens to the ICC on February 7, "provided we are given an extension."
"Finally, we also state that we will address the bulk of the ICC concerns by January 31, 2011 itself and the remaining little, if any, in another seven days," the letter said.
