‘Eden needs to fix sight screen problems’

“Sight screen is really a cause for concern at Eden Gardens. During my time,the height of the sight screens used to be 15 feet X 45 feet. The entry gate of the club house lower tier is right on top of the sight screen at the pavilion end and play got hold up everytime there was a movement. We used to lose at least 10-15 minutes everyday for the disturbances,” former Test umpire Piloo Reporter told The Sunday Express.

“Now the ICC is very particular about maintaining the time. Fifty overs have to be bowled in three and a half hours which doesn’t allow a delay for the sight screen problems,” he added. The CAB had rejected the ICC’s suggestion of raising the height of the sight screens to 25 feet reportedly on the ground that it would have meant a loss of 200 odd seats in the lower tier of the club house.

“The ICC’s ruling has justification. But at the same time,the world body should standardise the height and width of the sight screen to avoid confusion,” Reporter said.

Another ex-Test umpire S.K. Bansal concurs. “Indeed,the ICC should standardise the measurement. He also agrees with Reporter that the Eden Gardens really needs to fix the sight screen problems. “Many a time players,both Indian and overseas,have told us to put a black curtain on top of the sight screens at the Eden Gardens. The height needs to be raised,” Bansal told this paper. The CAB never bothered to consult the technical people on a technical issue,which however,is not surprising. This is way the association is functioning of late.