ICC team had warned against match on Kotla track

Even as Ferozeshah Kotla's fate as an international venue hangs in balance, it now transpires that an ICC inspection team had warned against hosting a match at the stadium because the pitch was just not up to the mark.

Even as Ferozeshah Kotla's fate as an international venue hangs in balance, it now transpires that an ICC inspection team had warned against hosting a match at the stadium because the pitch was just not up to the mark.

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The International Cricket Council team visited Kotla on November 4, three days after India's ODI against Australia here, and made a damning observation of the pitch in their report.

"There is an ODI at this venue on December 27, 2009 and considerable improvement of the pitch block will be required by then to make the pitch provided more acceptable," they said.

They also took note of the fact that the previous matches on the relaid track had witnessed low and uneven bounce, according to a 'Cricinfo' report.

"During the Champions League and the India vs Australia ODI series, it was well documented that the performance and condition of the pitches at the stadium were a cause of concern for the players," he said.

The report said Delhi and District Cricket Association would have to make an effort to upgrade the pitch before the 2011 World Cup.

"The pitch block was reconstructed recently and it is clear to see that there are some important issues with the present condition of the pitch surface that it is essential to address prior to 2011 World Cup," the report said.