After Motera, Eden Gardens gets inspected

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief pitch consultant Andy Atkinson on Friday suggested the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to speed up the renovation of Eden Gardens, the venue of four World Cup matches in February-March, 2011.

Though Atkinson and his deputy David Eugene refused to answer the queries from media people after their half-hour on the spot study at Eden Gardens, sources close to CAB officials said the duo was happy of the ground condition but suggested speeding up the renovation works of the stadium's galleries.

Eden Gardens is undergoing massive renovation for World Cup and the sitting capacity is likely to be reduced by 20 per cent from 100,000.

CAB's pitch curator Prabir Mukherjee had accompanied Atkinson during pitch inspection. Atkinson also took photographs of the works at the galleries where masons are working.

Eden will host four matches- India vs England on February 27, Ireland vs South Africa on March 15, Ireland vs Netherlands on March 18 and Kenya vs Zimbabwe on March 20. The two ICC officials before visiting the Eden ground had meeting with the CAB officials about the preparations for the World Cup.

CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya was not present at the meeting. CAB's joint secretary Chitrak Mitra said the ICC officials have expressed their satisfaction over the progress of the stadium.

 He said Atkinson and many other officials would also visit Eden Gardens on December 8 for final inspection.