Nagpur stadium cleared as World Cup venue

Nagpur stadium cleared as World Cup venue

NEW DELHI (AFP): A cricket stadium in the Indian city of Nagpur, where a wall collapse killing 10 fans during an international in November, was confirmed yesterday as a venue for next month's World Cup.

A senior World Cup official told AFP that the Australia- Zimbabwe match on March 1 would be held at Nagpur, near Bombay, as scheduled after local authorities declared the stadium to be safe.

"The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium in Nagpur has been given the go-ahead," the official said, but added that "certain precautions" were being taken for the World Cup match.

"We have instructed the people in charge of the match in Nagpur to prevent over-crowding in the stands," he said.

A newly-constructed wall in the renovated 40,000-capacity VCA stadium gave way on Nov. 26 during a one-day match between India and New Zealand, killing 10 fans and injuring 70.

An inquiry, ordered by the state government of Maharashtra, faulted the organizers for over-crowding, but gave a clean bill to the quality of construction.

The World Cup will be co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka from Feb. 11 to March 17.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, Richie Richardson further aggravated his hamstring injury as West Indies made 243 for five off its 50 overs in the day-night limited-over cricket match against Australia A yesterday.

Richardson was on 15 when he drove paceman Michael Kasprowicz through mid-on for three and pulled up lame on the second run.

He battled on for four more overs before calling it quits on 22 to avoid further injury, but he is in doubt for the Windies' final World Series Cup match against Sri Lanka in Perth on Sunday.

Roland Holder, the tour replacement for stay-away world record holder Brian Lara, top scored with an unbeaten 80 from 91 balls while opener Stuart Williams hit 57 off 75 deliveries with eight fours and a six over cover in Kasprowicz's first over.