Wills Cup Snippets (23 October 1998)
The England cricket team had a three-hour practice session yesterday at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) amidst unprecedented security
23-Oct-1998
23 October 1998
Wills Cup Snippets
Rabeed Imam
The England cricket team had a three-hour practice session yesterday
at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) amidst unprecedented security.
A contingent of armed police were guarding every possible entrance to
the ground and there was hardly any unauthorised entry.
This pitches at DCS were badly effected by rain and former national
paceman Dipu Roy Chaudhury,who is responsible for the wickets, said,"
it is a near miracle that a team is able to practice here."
"This ground was totally under water a few days ago and there was no
pitch covers. It's a great relief that they dried up in time",added
Dipu.
So far so good
David Lloyd doesn't mix business with pleasure. The England coach
keeps totally focused when practice is on and only obliges when its
over. He seemed to be in a generous mood at the end of yesterday's
nets.
"I have a fine team. It's keen, eager, determined and we are always
confident", said Lloyd about the spirit of his team."We are not the
best side in the world so we are working hard to get there.I'm pleased
with what I've seen in practice."
Lloyd expressed his total satisfaction with the practice facilities at
the DCS. "It's excellent. I do not know how the groundsmen have
managed to keep the pitches dry despite the rain. They have done a
tremendous job."
Chairman of selectors David Graveney was in tone with Lloyd. "The
pitches, dressing rooms and other aspects of this ground are
fantastic",remarked Graveney who frequently tries out his looping
off-breaks at the nets.
Harsha in town!
ESPN is not covering the Wills International Cup. So one was puzzled
to see the network's crew at the DCS. A little distance away from the
England net stood the bespectacled Harsha Bhogle, a house hold name in
TV commentating, now working for ESPN.
"I'm not in Dhaka to commentate,"confirmed the affable Indian. "I have
only arrived yesterday and possibly would leave on Wednesday after
doing some interviews and stuffs like that."
Changing the topic to the Bangladesh team, Harsha seemed a bit taken
aback by recent changes. "What's happening to your side? I've heard
that the selectors have dropped two very fine batsmen, Akram Khan and
Athar Ali Khan. You can strip Akram of the captaincy but how could you
drop him as a batsman? I just don't understand."
Harsha appeared to be a big fan of the present skipper Aminul Islam.
"He is without parallel among your batsmen. You can tell by the way he
bats that Aminul belongs to a different league."
The man knows his job
Brian Murgatroyd,the media relations officer of the England team is
probably the busiest man in the contingent. He can be well mistaken
for a player in his England shirt and is an indispensable member of
the squad.
The Welshman,has been with the England Test and one-day sides since
July 1997. he has been of immense help to the local journalists in
arranging interviews with the stars of the England side and has also
kept the pressmen up to date with team news.
The amiable Murgatroyd is a bundle of knowledge regarding any
information about his players. "It's my job to know as much as
possible about the team and the cricketers. I try to accommodate
things precisely and in an orderly way."
Murgatroyd,along with David Graveney and David Lloyd will fly straight
to Australia to join the ashes squad. "We will be leaving for
Australia immediately, once our interest in this competition
finishes.Hopefully that will be in early Novmber", quipped Murgatroyd,
obviously foreseeing his side playing in the final scheduled for
November 1
It's not funny
World champions Sri Lanka had a rather abrupt introduction to
Bangladesh yesterday when some overly enthusiastic civil aviation
personnel started taking photographs upon the team's arrival at the
ZIA International Airport.
Arjuna Ranatunga's men were clearly not amused.
Dinner date dumped?
According to reliable sources, the gala dinner for all the
participants,scheduled for October 27 at the Pan Pacefic Sonargaon
Hotel, has been called off. However, nobody among the hosts or the
organisers could spell out any special reason for the postponement.
Indians not pleased
The delays in issuing of accreditation cards and other mismanagement
has irked a number of journalists who have flown in from India.
"The national stadium has had a remarkable face lift from the time we
last visited(Coca Cola Independence Cup in January). Unfortunately the
organisational features has deteriorated at the same rate",said one
frustated pressman.
Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)