God bless the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI). Never ones to announce the venues/schedule for a touring side until the last minute, the England team and its large army of travelling fans finally got confirmation today of where they've to travel to in November/December, namely:
Nov 6: England arrive in Mumbai
Nov 9: One-day warm-up match in Mumbai
Nov 11: One-day warm-up match in Mumbai
Nov 14: 1st ODI, Rajkot
Nov 17: 2nd ODI, Indore
Nov 20: 3rd ODI, Kanpur
Nov 23: 4th ODI, Jamshedpur
Nov 26: 5th ODI, Cuttack
Nov 29: 6th ODI, Guwahati
Dec 2: 7th ODI, Delhi
Dec 5: Three-day warm-up match, Baroda
Dec 11: First Test, Ahmedabad
Dec 19: Second Test, Mumbai
It's hardly a glamorous tour venue-wise, with one or two exceptions. Predictably, the English Cricket Board have expressed disappointment with the schedule, expressing concern that "English fans will not get to experience the great cricket grounds of India".
This is, of course, their own way of saying "Bugger, we've got to go to some logistically irritating outposts, and play in stadia that are cauldrons of intense atmosphere, in front of a hostile crowd, with facilities that are a million miles away from the comfort zones of the likes of Lords, and not a decent hotel for miles around. I mean, it's simply not cricket, old chap."
That said, it does seem to be a shame that, despite the BCCI's (risible) "ground rotation" policy, in actual fact the likes of Ahmedabad, despite having hosted a Test when South Africa toured India back in March/April, seems to be entitled another game, even though the majestic Eden Gardens in Kolkata won't have seen a game for over a year by the time the Test series starts up north in the state of Gujurat. Tcch - politics, eh?
It has to be said, geographical gripes notwithstanding (the current itinerary necessitates around 4000 miles travelling around India, which is scary considering London and Mumbai themselves are only 4450 miles apart), it's incredibly frustrating as a travelling fan when you have to wait so long to book your flights because of other people's dilly-dallying, especially as the ECB were in a position to announce next summer's home Ashes series dates a year ago, and we've known for months now where the team will be playing when they tour the West Indies next spring.
Ahmedabad, and indeed a few of the other locations, will prove challenging for the average member of the travelling Barmy Army, given that many of the towns and cities are in "dry states". Although this doesn't mean getting a beer is impossible, it's bloody challenging, with either a long beauracratic process to obtain a liquor licence beckoning, or the need to have one shedload of baksheesh handy to grease the palms of accommodating hotel staff.
However, does the BCCI have any vested interest in making life easy for travelling supporters? I doubt it. It's the richest cricket governing body in the world by a country mile, and apparently has far more arrogance than it has sense of urgency. English-led arguments that "The local economy will benefit if tourist-friendly venues are laid on for our many travelling fans" don't seem to resonate with Sharad Pawar and his affluent cronies one iota.
Perhaps the way to fight back against nations who don't give afford us an agreeable schedule when touring is to refuse them the opportunity to play at Lords when in England - every touring side's Holy Grail - instead treating them to inconvenient outposts such as the Riverside and Sophia Gardens. I suspect this is unlikely (not to mention petty, let's be honest, and we should turn the other cheek), given the fuss that the MCC would doubtless make if this were to be the suggestion.
To be fair to the BCCI, you can hardly blame them in some ways for making visiting sides' tour of their country as difficult as possible - I mean, what's the point of home advantage otherwise? And one can level criticism at the ECB, too, whose recent delegation to India, ostensibly on a visit to check out and agree venues, appears to have been more like a jolly which has exerted absolutely no influence whatsoever over the BCCI's final decision making process. And don't get me started on the English tendency to prepare tourist-friendly wickets each and every summer over here - a courtesy not extended to England on any overseas tour they embark upon (and rightly so!)
One ground in particular that England will not relish visiting again will be Guwahati, tucked away to the east of Kolkata. On the last tour to India in 2006, the ODI there was abandoned due to crowd trouble (I remember picking up the Times of India whilst I was there to read the headline "Raining lathis in Guwahati", alongside pictorial evidence of the police seemingly indiscriminately walloping spectators with large sticks). You can read an account of the abandonment courtesy of Cricinfo by clicking here.
But it's not all bad though. The seventh and concluding ODI will be held at the awesome Feroze Shah Kotlah ground in Delhi, which tops my list of the best atmosphere at a cricket stadium I've ever witnessed (albeit with the most officious policing I've ever seen, too - make sure you hide your suncream well if you don't want it confiscated). There's another remarkable - nay, unbelievable - story about that game, too, but I'll probably save it for the blog around the time of the match!
Also, we'll be treated to the first Test match at Mumbai's Brabourne stadium for 35 years, too, ending one of the most petty disputes in cricketing history between the owners of the nearby Wankhede stadium, and the stewards of the Brabourne, the Cricket Club of India (CCI). An argument over ticket rights resulted in the Wankhede staging all international games in Mumbai for the last three and a half decades (England were the last touring side to play a Test match there back in '73).
Nov 6: England arrive in Mumbai
Nov 9: One-day warm-up match in Mumbai
Nov 11: One-day warm-up match in Mumbai
Nov 14: 1st ODI, Rajkot
Nov 17: 2nd ODI, Indore
Nov 20: 3rd ODI, Kanpur
Nov 23: 4th ODI, Jamshedpur
Nov 26: 5th ODI, Cuttack
Nov 29: 6th ODI, Guwahati
Dec 2: 7th ODI, Delhi
Dec 5: Three-day warm-up match, Baroda
Dec 11: First Test, Ahmedabad
Dec 19: Second Test, Mumbai
It's hardly a glamorous tour venue-wise, with one or two exceptions. Predictably, the English Cricket Board have expressed disappointment with the schedule, expressing concern that "English fans will not get to experience the great cricket grounds of India".
This is, of course, their own way of saying "Bugger, we've got to go to some logistically irritating outposts, and play in stadia that are cauldrons of intense atmosphere, in front of a hostile crowd, with facilities that are a million miles away from the comfort zones of the likes of Lords, and not a decent hotel for miles around. I mean, it's simply not cricket, old chap."
That said, it does seem to be a shame that, despite the BCCI's (risible) "ground rotation" policy, in actual fact the likes of Ahmedabad, despite having hosted a Test when South Africa toured India back in March/April, seems to be entitled another game, even though the majestic Eden Gardens in Kolkata won't have seen a game for over a year by the time the Test series starts up north in the state of Gujurat. Tcch - politics, eh?
It has to be said, geographical gripes notwithstanding (the current itinerary necessitates around 4000 miles travelling around India, which is scary considering London and Mumbai themselves are only 4450 miles apart), it's incredibly frustrating as a travelling fan when you have to wait so long to book your flights because of other people's dilly-dallying, especially as the ECB were in a position to announce next summer's home Ashes series dates a year ago, and we've known for months now where the team will be playing when they tour the West Indies next spring.
Ahmedabad, and indeed a few of the other locations, will prove challenging for the average member of the travelling Barmy Army, given that many of the towns and cities are in "dry states". Although this doesn't mean getting a beer is impossible, it's bloody challenging, with either a long beauracratic process to obtain a liquor licence beckoning, or the need to have one shedload of baksheesh handy to grease the palms of accommodating hotel staff.
However, does the BCCI have any vested interest in making life easy for travelling supporters? I doubt it. It's the richest cricket governing body in the world by a country mile, and apparently has far more arrogance than it has sense of urgency. English-led arguments that "The local economy will benefit if tourist-friendly venues are laid on for our many travelling fans" don't seem to resonate with Sharad Pawar and his affluent cronies one iota.
Perhaps the way to fight back against nations who don't give afford us an agreeable schedule when touring is to refuse them the opportunity to play at Lords when in England - every touring side's Holy Grail - instead treating them to inconvenient outposts such as the Riverside and Sophia Gardens. I suspect this is unlikely (not to mention petty, let's be honest, and we should turn the other cheek), given the fuss that the MCC would doubtless make if this were to be the suggestion.
To be fair to the BCCI, you can hardly blame them in some ways for making visiting sides' tour of their country as difficult as possible - I mean, what's the point of home advantage otherwise? And one can level criticism at the ECB, too, whose recent delegation to India, ostensibly on a visit to check out and agree venues, appears to have been more like a jolly which has exerted absolutely no influence whatsoever over the BCCI's final decision making process. And don't get me started on the English tendency to prepare tourist-friendly wickets each and every summer over here - a courtesy not extended to England on any overseas tour they embark upon (and rightly so!)
One ground in particular that England will not relish visiting again will be Guwahati, tucked away to the east of Kolkata. On the last tour to India in 2006, the ODI there was abandoned due to crowd trouble (I remember picking up the Times of India whilst I was there to read the headline "Raining lathis in Guwahati", alongside pictorial evidence of the police seemingly indiscriminately walloping spectators with large sticks). You can read an account of the abandonment courtesy of Cricinfo by clicking here.
But it's not all bad though. The seventh and concluding ODI will be held at the awesome Feroze Shah Kotlah ground in Delhi, which tops my list of the best atmosphere at a cricket stadium I've ever witnessed (albeit with the most officious policing I've ever seen, too - make sure you hide your suncream well if you don't want it confiscated). There's another remarkable - nay, unbelievable - story about that game, too, but I'll probably save it for the blog around the time of the match!
Also, we'll be treated to the first Test match at Mumbai's Brabourne stadium for 35 years, too, ending one of the most petty disputes in cricketing history between the owners of the nearby Wankhede stadium, and the stewards of the Brabourne, the Cricket Club of India (CCI). An argument over ticket rights resulted in the Wankhede staging all international games in Mumbai for the last three and a half decades (England were the last touring side to play a Test match there back in '73).
Having visited both grounds, I can advise that the Wankhede is an absolute disgrace of a stadium (delapidated doesn't even start to describe the place), whereas the Brabourne is a charming, tidy ground with a very quaint pavilion. I read someone once describe it as the "Lords of India". Moreover, it's located a stone's throw from the attractive Marine Drive, which hugs Back Bay and the Arabian Sea, and is a fantastic place to watch the sun set, with a plethora of decent bars and restaurants nearby.
I've booked to go to Mumbai for the concluding Test - wouldn't miss it for the world :-)
Though the schedule is not a thriller, largely speaking, a tour of India is always a a fascinating experience, and this one will be no different, I'm sure. Unfortunately, the way the balance of power is shifting in world cricket, it's no real surprise that whilst the all-powerful BCCI will happily fob England off with any schedule they please (and a paltry two Test series to boot), they'll quite happily hand Australia (far more attractive a visitor, these days) a four Test series, shortly before England arrive, at big venues in metros such as Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. I guess it stands to reason.
England's players and majority of fans will no doubt be looking forward of a slightly less complicated tour of the West Indies next April, but personally speaking I cannot wait to get back to India...
I've booked to go to Mumbai for the concluding Test - wouldn't miss it for the world :-)
Though the schedule is not a thriller, largely speaking, a tour of India is always a a fascinating experience, and this one will be no different, I'm sure. Unfortunately, the way the balance of power is shifting in world cricket, it's no real surprise that whilst the all-powerful BCCI will happily fob England off with any schedule they please (and a paltry two Test series to boot), they'll quite happily hand Australia (far more attractive a visitor, these days) a four Test series, shortly before England arrive, at big venues in metros such as Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. I guess it stands to reason.
England's players and majority of fans will no doubt be looking forward of a slightly less complicated tour of the West Indies next April, but personally speaking I cannot wait to get back to India...
Pictures beneath (taken with my own fair camera, top to bottom):
- The Brabourne stadium, Mumbai
- The Wankhede stadium, a few hundred yards North of the Brabourne
- Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai, with the Wankhede visible in the background
