16 Jan 2011

Problems at five Indian cricket stadiums

7:26 am on 16 January 2011

The International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat has revealed that preparations at five of the host stadiums for the cricket World Cup are behind schedule.

However, Lorgat is confident all venues for the tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be ready on time.

Lorgat says all of our reports do not indicate anything like what transpired during the Commonwealth Games.

The opening match between India and Bangladesh takes place on February 19th.

Of most concern is the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which is to host the final on April 2nd, but which is still undergoing major renovations.

There are similar problems at the 80,000-seat Eden Gardens in Mumbai.

Indian sport is still smarting from the debacle of last year's Commonwealth Games, when several teams threatened to pull out because of unfinished or substandard facilities.