ICC Agitated Over Lack Of Progress

By Dinouk Colombage

A leaked report from the International Cricket Council (ICC) states that the three venues in Sri Lanka earmarked for matches to be played in the 2011 Cricket World Cup have been marked as being of serious cause for concern by top ICC officials.  As the 2011 Cricket World Cup draws closer, Sri Lanka Cricket’s preparations have come under criticism by the International Cricket Council. In the leaked colour coded ICC report, five venues including three from Sri Lanka have been marked red over its progress.
Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium and the Sooriyawewa Stadium in Hambantota have both come under criticism by the ICC for the slow progress in the construction of facilities for players and spectators.
Kandy’s Pallekelle stadium has also been highlighted as a cause for concern. Professor Eugene van Vuuren, the ICC’s Stadium Consultant, has commented on the report  that the grounds will be at best completed by late January.
The report states that ‘following completion of the building works, there are a number of activities that need to be completed, including site clearance, landscaping and necessary beautification of the grounds, interior finishing and furnishing, facility commissioning and certification by local authorities, securing of the venue precinct perimeters and installation of entry gates, testing of all facilities including certification of the floodlight levels, and installation of temporary infrastructure required specifically for the World Cup.’ The report goes on to explain that it is these areas which are the causes for concern over the venues in Sri Lanka.
The Sunday Leader contacted SLC Media Spokesman, Brian Thomas, for comment. He denied any knowledge of the report, instead claiming that having visited the grounds the previous day he assured us “the pitch is in perfect condition.” He added that the grounds will be ready to host the matches in next year’s World Cup. Despite the report stating that a new deadline had been set for January 15, 2011, Thomas explained that the grounds had already received approval from the ICC.
The Sunday Leader also contacted the International Cricket Council’s media centre for clarification. Secretary to media and communications officer, Caroline Kenneth, however remained tight-lipped explaining that details of the report ‘had been leaked, and was not available for public viewing.’