Eden fiasco a ‘great blot’, says governor

KOLKATA - West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan Saturday termed as “unfortunate” the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to take away the India-England match from Eden Gardens and said that it is a “great blot” on India.

“It is unfortunate. Eden Gardens is next only to Lords (cricket ground in London). It is a great blot on us, said Narayanan while talking to reporters here.

Asked whether he would ask the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) or the West Bengal government to do all that is necessary to bring back the Feb 27 day-night match, the governor said it was already too late.

“I think it is almost too late. Because I think they (ICC) have already taken a decision. If there had been a bit of time we could have done something,” said Narayanan.

The ICC ruled Eden Gardens unsuitable for the tie following an adverse report from its venue inspection team that visited Kolkata and four other venues earlier this week to review their readiness for the cricket world cup hosted jointly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from Feb 19 to April 2.