ODI Venue to be moved to Thiruvananthapuram?

Kochi: The One Day International between India and West Indies, scheduled for November 1, may be moved to Thiruvananthapuram, from Kochi.

The government is said to have suggested the Sports Hub in Kariavattom as the venue for the match, in the discussions. The decision was taken after Minister for Sports AC Moideen held discussions with officials of Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA).

There have been some disputes regarding the venue, as the scheduled ODI was feared to damage the football turf of the Kaloor International Stadium in Kochi. Minister Moideen said that the attempt was to conduct the match smoothly and without any disputes. However, in the process the football turf in Kochi has also to be protected from damage, he added.

In a retort to the criticisms against conducting international cricket matches at the International Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) came out with a statement that the preparation for the Fifa Under-17 match that was played at Kaloor, had damaged the cricket turf. However, KCA had not objected to conducting the World Cup there, he added.

KCA further said that it is beyond understanding why there was protest against One Day International and wondered if Kochi was not part of Kerala.

Kerala Blasters superstar Iain Hume had hit out the other day against conducting a cricket match in Kochi and spoiling the turf there when a stadium was available in Thiruvananthapuram. He was joined in the criticism by team-mate CK Vineeth.