ICC satisfied by pace of work at Eden

Eden Gardens may be able to hold some World Cup matches after all © AFP Enlarge

The ICC has given a cautious nod to Eden Gardens' bid to host the remaining three World Cup matches scheduled there, apart from the India-England game, saying that it is "encouraged" by the progress made towards completing the necessary construction work.

"We are pleased with the progress made since January 25, and if that pace of work is maintained, we believe that the stadium will be ready for the games scheduled in March," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive said.

Eden Gardens is slated to host group-stage matches between South Africa and Ireland on March 15, Ireland and Netherlands on March 18, and Kenya and Zimbabwe on March 20.

The ICC had ruled out holding the February 27 match between Indian and England at Eden Gardens after an inspection on January 27 found several major works incomplete. That match was moved to Bangalore, and it was decided that a later inspection would be held to assess whether Eden Gardens could host the other three matches scheduled to be played there.

While the ICC's new-found confidence means the extensive renovation undertaken on Eden Gardens by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) might not be a complete loss as far as the tournament is concerned, it may be little consolation for the authorities, who were banking on the India match to draw a sell-out crowd.