Conspiracy behind India vs England match shift: Dalmiya

Asked whether shifting of the World Cup match was a “cricketing and political conspiracy’” against him,the former ICC president countered,“If this is not a conspiracy then what can be a conspiracy? It was not cricket.” Referring to his stint at the helm of the ICC,Dalmiya said: “I was the president when the 1999 World Cup took place in England. I was also the BCCI president when the 2003 World Cup took place….(And this time) on behalf of the CAB I had assured that we would assist the ICC for any exercise and the CAB would be prepared to pay for all the additional expenses for the same.

“But the CAB’s earnest request fell on deaf ears despite the fact that the scheduled India vs England match on February 27 was still 20 days away whereas other stadia in the sub-continent were allotted time for completion (of the renovation work).”

Eden to host Poms for T20

Eden Gardens will host the one-off T20 match between India and England in October. The BCCI has confirmed this on Thursday.

“BCCI secretary N Srinivasan has informed that we will play host to the one-off T20 game and also an ODI either against England or the West Indies,” CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey said.