Cuttack may not host Zimbabwe Test

Given a choice to host a Test match or a one day international, many affiliated BCCI units would rather opt for the latter. The organisational headaches are less, there is more glamour in hosting a ODI and it is a more attractive money making proposition.

The Orissa Cricket Association displayed little enthusiasm about hosting the Test match against Zimbabwe, alloted to it by the BCCI. And it came as no surprise when the OCA, with problems of its own, decided at a meeting in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, to surrender its right to host the match.

The newly elected OCA secretary Ashirvad Behera, explaining the reasons for opting out, said on Monday that the Barabati stadium in Cuttack, which was earmarked as the venue, would not be available. ``The Orissa Olympic Association has already allotted the ground to the Orissa Football Association till September end for the conduct of the league. Thereafter, we need about three months to prpeare the pitch and repair the stands which were damamged by the cyclone,'' he said. ``Also November is not the ideal time for the staging of a Test match as it rains during that period. Besides, transporting of the two teams from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack for about a week is another big problem.''

Instead, the OCA has applied for and has received assurance from the BCCI of being allotted a ODI at Cuttack against the Australian team in February next year.

Behera also said that the BCCI had endorsed a grant of Rs three crore for the installation of floodlights at the Barabati stadium on the condition that the stadium should be available as and when necessary for cricket matches for 15 years.

Cuttack has been host to two Test matches in the past. In 1986-87, on an underprepared pitch, India defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 67 runs in four days. In 1995-96, the Test against New Zealand, played in November, was badly affected by rain and was left drawn.