Bit strange to be practicing in a park: Dravid on facilities in New York

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: On a day when the drop-in pitches for the Twenty20 World Cup came in for all-round criticism, Rahul Dravid took dig at the practice facilities provided for the global championship. “It’s a bit strange to be practicing in a park,” the India coach remarked. Teams playing in New York have had to train at Cantiague Park, about five miles away from the ground, a situation that clearly did not amuse Dravid.

“Obviously at the World Cups you’d be in big stadiums or you’d be at cricket stadiums traditionally. But you know, we’re at a public park and practicing,” Dravid, who has played in three World Cups and coached the India side in the last three ICC events, said flashing a smile that smacked more of sarcasm rather than amusement.

Suddenly, the facilities in New York which will host eight of the 16 World Cup games allotted to the US, have come into focus. The International Cricket Council (ICC) built a temporary stadium and on Monday Sri Lanka got bundled out for 77 against South Africa, who also struggled before knocking off the target.