Kumble ‘impressed’ with Florida’s facilities
India head coach Anil Kumble has expressed surprise at how good the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium is, and says he expected a 'makeshift' venue for their T20s against the West Indies in the USA.
The two matches this weekend will be India's first foray into the US, cricket-wise, and Kumble says he was mightily impressed with the Florida venue, and expected a below par ground, despite it being accredited by the ICC.
Kumble said: "I certainly didn't expect the facilities to be as good as what it is in the United States. I certainly felt that it could be a makeshift.
"I had heard about Florida and this ground, but very impressed with the facilities that we have seen. It's the first time that I'm seeing this ground and the wickets are good, ideal probably for a T20, and the practice facilities have been good, the outfield looks fantastic.
"So all in all, really impressed with the facilities here.
"It's a wonderful initiative and we are really looking forward to our matches here, it's going to be a sell out. We know US… the expats and the huge Indian diaspora who are wanting for quality cricket to come to the US.
"We have played in the past in the West Indies and a lot of Indians come over form the US to watch us. So this is a great opportunity for all of them and I'm sure this is the start of a new beginning in the United States and I'm sure there will be a lot more of the Indian team in the US going forward."
India won the Test series two-nil, with the fourth match drawn due to a poor outfield, but Kumble is well aware that the Windies' T20 side is a different beast altogether, given they are the World T20 champions.
Kumble added: "West Indies has always been a tough side, they are the T20 world champions. About the shift that we need to make from Test cricket to T20, the West Indies players may not have to do that because some of them are coming straight from the CPL.
"They are quality cricketers and have shown consistently how good they are and we had a tough match in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup as well. In terms of the quality that we are going to encounter, we are aware of that.
"It's going to be a challenge and I think the Indian team has done really well over the last six months as a T20 side as well so that's something that we are looking forward to."
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.