Atkinson has DDCA by surprise

Published>Thu, Jul 01 10 01:48 PM

New Delhi, June 30 -- Apart from saying that work was on track and that minor delays had occurred as "the process of tendering for contracts takes a little time," the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) refused to react in detail on the issue of repair work at the Kotla. As Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday, International Cricket Council pitch consultant Andy Atkinson's concerns in which work was being undertaken at the ground. "I have not seen Atkinson's report so I can't comment on the specifics," Venkat Sundaram, the former Delhi captain, currently in charge of the Kotla, told HT. "All I can say is that although we started work late, we will be finishing well ahead of schedule. We have more than 100 people working night and day." Sundaram declined to answer why matches were played at the Kotla during late April and early May, when it had been agreed in February that repair work would begin on April 20 itself. He also refused to answer the question of why the ground was dug up when it had been agreed that this would not be done and only chemicals would be used to get rid of weeds. "We should finish our work by July 15," said Sundaram. "We should be able to start playing matches on the ground in early August, give or take a few days, depending on the weather." SP Bansal, general secretary of the DDCA, said the association was yet to get a copy of Atkinson's report.

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