MUMBAI – The International Cricket Council has ruled out Kolkata’s Eden Gardens hosting next month’s World Cup match between India and England due to delays in renovation work, the ruling body said in a statement on Thursday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must decide on an alternative venue for the Feb. 27 match. “We will work with the new venue, the tour operators and the ticket distributors to manage the logistical challenges that will surely arise,” tournament director Ratnakar Shetty said.
A committee report approved three Sri Lanka venues, Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele, and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the venue for the final, subject to minor finishing work being completed. The report, however, said Eden Gardens would not be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the match between India and England.
“Of particular concern was the fact that host venue obligations in relation to cricket operations, media, broadcast and sponsorship facilities were not finalised and/or confirmed by the venue,” the ICC said.
