Ganguly wants sporting track for one-dayer

Skipper Sourav Ganguly has sought a sporting track for the first one-dayer against England to be held at the Eden Gardens on January 19.

"I can't say anything about the wicket so early but I definitely want a sporting wicket so that the spectators can enjoy the game," Ganguly said.

The elegant left-hander, who has started preparing for the six-match series against England by practicing at the Eden Gardens, will be leaving for Bangalore tomorrow to take part in the Challenger Cup series.

Ganguly had a talk with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Ground Committee chairman, Shivaji Banerjee after his practice session yesterday. Banerjee told him that the Eden wicket would be an ideal strip for a one-dayer and offer plenty of runs. With the opening match being a day-night affair, the team winning the toss could opt to bat first in view of the expected dew fall in the evening.

The ground has more often than not favoured the team batting first and it remains to be seen whether the script would unfold on similar lines. Though India had won the last one-dayer against Kenya despite batting second, the dew factor did not come into play since the match was played in the month of May

Mail Cricket Editor