Indo-Aussie series: Toronto offered as venue

TORONTO: Canadian cricket authorities have offered Toronto as an alternative venue for the India-Australia series if Ricky Ponting-led Aussie team does not visit India because of security concerns.

“We hope the Aussie tour of India will go through. But if the Australians cancel their trip citing security concerns, we are willing to hold their matches here. Our proposal is not only for this series, but also for any such eventuality in the future,” Cricket Canada CEO Mr Atul Ahuja said.

He added, “If security issues lead to cancellation of future tours to the sub-continent, Cricket Canada would request all the cricket boards - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - to help us build a Friendship Stadium in Toronto to serve as an alternative venue for the series cancelled for security reasons.”

Mr Ahuja said he raised this issue when he was invited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the inauguration of the Indian Premier League in April.

“I spoke with Mr Sharad Pawar, Arjuna Ranatunga of Sri Lanka Cricket and Mr Nasim Ashraf of the Pakistani Cricket Board at that time.

They all said it is a good idea. Pawar was very sympathetic, but there was no follow up.”