28 Jan 2011

Kolkata loses high-profile World Cup match

6:42 am on 28 January 2011

India's readiness to host major sporting events is in the spotlight again after Kolkata's Eden Gardens was dropped as the venue of the high-profile India vs England match at next month's cricket World Cup.

Blaming delays in renovation work, the International Cricket Council says Eden Gardens won't be ready within an acceptable time frame to host the match on February 27th and the Indian cricket board must decide on an alternative venue.

Three Sri Lanka venues have been approved, at Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele, along with Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, the venue for the final, subject to minor finishing work being completed.

Delays in preparing venues and athletes' accomodation also threatened the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi.