CHENNAI: A day after Express reported there was a possibility of some future international matches getting affected due to some state units taking extreme steps of not playing hosts, two units have written to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri on their inability to hosts matches.
It has been learned that Hyderabad Cricket Association and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association made clear about their problems — HCA one-off Bangladesh Test, and TNCA two U-19 Indian-England matches (to be held on Feb 13-16 and Feb 21-24). Reasons were related to funds and logistics. On Saturday, in an informal meeting hosted by former board chief N Srinivasan in Bengaluru, several units pledged unity in resisting the implementation of Lodha reforms, as directed by the SC.
The HCA reasoned: “As the SC has put a hold on funds to be released to states, so we won’t be able to host the Bangladesh Test from February 8 to 12.”
The TNCA, in a letter signed by joint secretary RI Palani, said a busy domestic schedule rendered the MA Chidambaram Stadium unavailable. “We've a tight schedule, with First Division matches yet to be played, and there’s a T20 event too.” Chennai, however, is not short of grounds. But Palani said the cyclone has caused severe damage to them. “We can’t fix the sightscreens on time. Other associations are free to host these matches.” He denied it had anything to do with Saturday’s meeting. “I'm not part of meetings by ineligible candidates. This about logistics.” The grounds are maintained by states and can allow or deny hosting matches.