Delhi will not host SA Test: BCCI

New Delhi, Dec 28 : After the fiasco at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium where the fifth ODI between India and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned due to a poor pitch, the BCCI has ruled out the national capital as a host for one of the two South Africa Tests to be held early next year.

The unplayable pitch conditions at the Kotla stadium brought huge embarrassment to Indian cricket as the final ODI was called off after just 23.3 overs were possible in the match here yesterday.

The South Africa-India series will be held in February and March. Though the list of venues had not been announced yet, Kotla was in contention to host one of the two Test matches to be played during the series.

Ratnakar Shetty of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said it has been decided that the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) will not get to host this match after the fiasco.

In fact, Kotla's fate as a venue to international games is in danger with the ICC to make a decision on it soon. It is likely that the venue may be banned and in that case, Delhi will lose its four World Cup games scheduled to be held in 2011.

After the ICC receives the match referee's full report on the incident, it will write to the BCCI within five days demanding an explanation for the incident.

The BCCI will have 14 days to respond to the ICC. If ICC decides the pitch was sub-standard, penalties can range from a warning to a fine or suspension.

--UNI