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Journalism of Courage
Kochi, March 29: The City is agog with excitement as April 1, when India and Australia meet in the inaugural match of the tri-nation series one-day international, is fast approaching. The teams will arrive tomorrow afternoon from Bangalore. They will be accorded a traditional welcome at the airport.
The Cochin Corporation will also give an official reception to the teams soon after their arrival.
Two of the latest additions to the Indian one-day squad, Vinod Kambli and Ajit Agarkar, will arrive in the morning from Mumbai.
Addressing a press conference at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today, S K Nair, treasurer, Board of Control for Cricket in India, expressed satisfaction at the tremendous pace at which the work was progressing at the venue.
The outfield, that wore a brown look with patches all around a few days before, now had a lush green appearance.
The movable sight screens and the scoreboard have been installed and finishing touches are being given to the players’ dressing rooms.
A fullyequipped medical room will become functional from tomorrow. The room, manned by officials from Medical Trust Hospital, who have also provided the equipment, can conduct minor surgeries and also take care of major emergencies, fractures and respiratory failures.
There is also a full-fledged physiotherapy unit, apart from the other equipment specified by the BCCI.
The ESPN commentary team comprising former Australian stars Ian Chappell, Jeff Thomson and David Hookes will also arrive tomorrow along with the other members of the TWI crew.
The ticket sales have been brisk and the organisers expect a full house for the match. S K Nair said they were expecting a revenue of around Rs 1.1 crore provided the tickets are sold out.
With the expenses for the match expected to touch Rs 70 lakh, which include the heavy rent for the stadium, the organisers are hopeful of making a profit of anything around Rs 50 lakh.
The profits will go a long way into boosting cricket in the State. The amount, S K Nair added,would be earmarked for the construction of a cricket stadium in the State.
