The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : HCA keeping its fingers crossed

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Friday, Sep 07, 2007
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HCA keeping its fingers crossed

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: ICC match referee Allan Hurst’s inspection of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal) on Friday has assumed significance in the wake of the recent twin blasts in the City.

It may be recalled that the original agenda of Allan Hurst was to visit the stadium and give a comprehensive report whether it was ready to be granted Test status. But, now Hurst is also expected to take stock of the security situation ahead of the India-Australia one-dayer at the stadium on October 5.

“We have not got any official communication from Cricket Australia expressing security concerns. We are going ahead with the preparations,” N. Shivlal Yadav, HCA secretary, told The Hindu.

The HCA president and Minister, G. Vinod, reviewed the security arrangements at a meeting at the Stadium this afternoon with the District Collector and senior police officials.

“We have been given certain directions on the security front and we will work them out with the event managers, Rachnotsav,” Mr. Vinod said.

One of the suggestions at the meeting was to install jammers to stall all mobile phone signals in and around the venue and, as usual, not to allow even water bottles into the stadium.

Meanwhile, Andhra Cricket Association secretary V. Chamundeswaranath said, “In case the BCCI feels that there is a security threat at Hyderabad, ACA will make a bid to get the match allotted to Visakhapatnam.”

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