New Delhi, Jan 8 (Inditop.com) Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) heaved a sigh of relief Friday after International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan hinted that Ferozeshah Kotla will not be ruled out for 2011 World Cup matches.
DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan Friday said they have already started the rectification work at Kotla.
“All I can say is that we have taken the issue very seriously. The rectification work has already started, under the BCCI’s former chief of pitches and grounds committee Venkat Sundaram,” Chauhan told Inditop Friday.
The final match of the five match One-day series between India and Sri Lanka at Kotla Dec 27 was abandoned after 23.3 overs due to a wicket which match referee Alan Hurst termed “unfit” for playing.
Based on the match referee’s report, Delhi faces strict sanction ranging from a fine to a ban of 12-24 months from ICC. Kotla is scheduled to stage four World Cup matches including one featuring India.
“I’m not at all sure if such a ban would be appropriate in this case,” Morgan told a television channel Thursday.
“It’s not our desire that a pitch in an important city from a cricketing point of view, a place like Delhi, should face a lengthy ban.
“Instead, we desire the pitch be made fit for the purpose as soon as possible,” he said.
rounak