Ground conditions unsatisfactory for Kochi ODI

Kochi, Sep 24 (UNI) Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official Taposh Chatterjee today expressed doubts over the ground conditions at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, venue of the second one-day international between India and Australia on October two.

Talking to reporters after inspecting the ground, BCCI Ground and Pitches Committee member Mr Chatterjee said, ''the pitch was soft but could be made playable with two to three days of work but the outfield was waterlogged in certain areas due to intermittent rains.'' He said lot of hard work should be put in to make the outfield dry and hard to host an international match.

Mr Chatterjee said a final report on the ground conditions would be given to the BCCI after another inspection on September 29.

Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) official Ramachandran said if weather permits, all the required work would be done in the next two days.

He said super soaker machines and pumps were being used to make the ground dry.

'' The association had asked for eight 120/80 feet covers for the ground from Chennai and would reach here in two days time,'' Mr Ramachandran said.

UNI