Kolkata: A 3 member-squad of England Cricket Board (ECB) today visited Eden Gardens to ensure the security of English cricketers. They did a thorough inspection of logistics and ground condition too. John Donald Carr, Anthony Eatherdale and Reginald Clyde Dicason were accompanied by Anshuman Upadhay, Regional Integrity Manager of BCCI Anti-corruption squad.
England is scheduled to play a one day match next year on 22nd January against India at Eden Gardens. Since the match will be played before 23rd and 26th January, security remains the chief concern for the administrators. Kolkata, which is often suspected to be a free passage for terrorists, has to be on its toes for the successful arrangement of the match.
Considering all those factors, ECB officials held a long meeting Kolkata Police. Kolkata police assured the visiting team that they would turn the players’ hotel into a fortress to avoid any unwanted incident. Since England is scheduled to play the last match of the series in Eden Gardens, the cricketers would not be allowed to visit Mother House or Missionaries of Charities. Even for security reason, English players would have to miss out a visit to golf course or a short trip to Victory Memorial as Kolkata police is not ready to take any chance.
In another development, the visiting team of ECB was quite content with the practice wickets and dressing room reserved for English team. In fact, supporters of visiting team known as Barmy Army across the cricketing world would be facilitated with a separated seating arrangement.
Avishek Dalmiya, the Joint secretary of CAB and Biswarup Dey, treasurer of CAB played the host to the visiting team. While asked about the response of the visitors, Mr Dalmiya said: “ECB is very happy with the ground condition, logistics and security system of Eden Gardens and we are confident about the successful organization of the match.”