TNCA rejects offer to organize India-England U19 Tests

Hyderabad unwilling to host India Vs Bangladesh Test match

N-Srinivasan
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association refuses to let BCCI use MA Chidambaram stadium for U-19 series. File Pic

Internet Desk: The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has expressed an inability to host two U-19 ‘Test’ matches against England next month but insisted that it has nothing to do with the Supreme Court verdict on Lodha Committee reforms.

However, TNCA will be hosting the National T20 for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and National One dayers for Vijay Hazare Trophy in their capital city.

But the decision bears significance as TNCA president and strongman N Srinivasan yesterday unofficially presided over a meeting of disqualified BCCI officials charting the course for way forward.

The two youth Tests were supposed to be held in Chennai from February 13-16 and February 21-24.

“Look a lot of our TNCA league matches are yet to be completed as grounds are severely damaged due to Cyclone Vadra. Therefore we would need to complete the league in between Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy,” TNCA member Dr RN Baba told the media.

He also dismissed speculation that it is a way of showing defiance by TNCA.

“If we would have shown defiance, why would we host Mushtaq and Hazare Trophies which are BCCI tournaments? Our joint Secretary RI Palani was in the United States. Once he came back, he inspected all the grounds. We need the bigger grounds for TNCA league games,” Dr Baba said.

In another news, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has expressed its inability to stage the one-off Test match against Bangladesh from February 8 to 12 at the Uppal Stadium. The HCA has told the BCCI that they are withdrawing their names due to lack of funds.