ICL 'kicks off' second camp in Chennai

Chennai, Oct 11 (UNI) Gearing up for competition from the 'rival' Indian Professional League (IPL), Essel Group backed Indian Cricket League (ICL) has begun its second camp at the Mayajaal sports complex here.

Chief Coach of ICL, former India medium pacer and one of the 1983 World Cup heroes Balwinder Singh Sandhu, told UNI that 48 of the 57 cricketers who had signed up with the ICL have assembled for the 15-day camp.

The remaining players, including Rohan Gavaskar, will join in a couple of days, he said.

''We hope it will not rain and play the spoil sport,'' Sandhu said, referring to the North East monsoon which is expected to break anytime now in this part of the country.

The camp was originally scheduled to take place in Mumbai. Due to the rains there ICL could not prepare the wickets on time. ICL chose Chennai again because the camp here at the Mayajaal Sports Complex last month went on smoothly.

The camp was focussing on sharpening the skills of the players Sandhu said, adding there would be special sessions for the bowlers and regularnets afterwards. The campers will also play practice matches.

Sandhu said ICL Chairman Kapil Dev would also be visiting the campers again. Asked when the league would formally take off and whether the actual programme has been worked out, Sandhu said ''Kapil would announce the details during his visit to the camp this time.'' UNI