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This is an archive article published on August 14, 2003

Aussies on field trip

More than two months before the Australian cricketers land in India for the tri-series, their officials are here to the spade work for the v...

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More than two months before the Australian cricketers land in India for the tri-series, their officials are here to the spade work for the visit. A three-member delegation from Cricket Australia (CA) en route to the various where the Aussies will play were in Pune to oversee the preparations.

Though the delegates – Australian team manager Steve Bernard, Australian Cricketer’s Association (ACA) chief executive Tim May and CA general manager (Operations) Michael Brown – seemed largely satisfied but they did point out to a few flaws.

BCCI taken by surprise

The Australian team manager Bernard though when approached by The Indian Express maintained the trip was a ‘‘routine’’ one. ‘‘We have such trips even back home. It is just a way we can ascertain for ourselves how the preparations are for a series. This enables us to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the host Boards before a series.’’

When pressed further Bernard did concede that since the match was still still about two months away, there was ‘‘still some work which could be done.’’

‘‘At the moment they have some time. They are making changes to dressing rooms, making more medical facilities available. If they are confident then we are prepared to take their assurance,’’ added Bernard.

But what Bernard did not reveal was the concerns about security which his team had conveyed to the BCCI secretary SK Nair. Later when Nair visited the stadium he revealed that the Aussie delegation did raise the question of security. ‘‘I have assured them that security was of prime importance to us. This is as per ICC requirements and there would not be any leeway,’’ he said.

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Nair also added that he has in-turn relayed these concerns to the Maharashtra Cricket Association and warned of strict action in case of non-implementation.

The BCCI secretary also conceded that the dressing room and the ground facilities needed some work. ‘‘There still some work needed in the dressing room. It needs to improve. There is still some more time to go, but things have to move at a fairly good pace from now on,’’ he said.

The BCCI secretary also revealed that the MCA have been given a a deadline of September 15 to get things in order.

Also present during the day-long inspection trip were the interim members of the MCA managing committee as well as former Chairman of National Selectors Chandu Borde. Borde is in charge of preparations of the ground for the tri-series match between the Trans Tasman rivals.

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The Aussie delegation will also be visiting Guwahati, Faridabad and Gwalior.

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