Work on at frantic pace at Windies' warm-up venue

With the outfield still soggy, the ground staff worked at frantic pace Tuesday to ready the Jadavpur University Ground for the visiting West Indies' three-day warm-up match against Uttar Pradesh beginning Thursday.

The groundsmen were mopping up with sponges as a super-sopper was kept ready for use in case of more rains, which lashed Kolkata with furious force Saturday. The city also received drizzle Sunday.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Tuesday held out an assurance that the match will be held as per schedule as the visitors hit the nets Wednesday.

"The outfield was soggy but we have been working overtime and the ground is now ready. The curator would inspect the facilities today. The match will be held as scheduled," CAB joint secretary Subir Ganguly said.

Originally slated to be held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the match was shifted here after Odisha faced a deluge.

Located in the satellite township of Salt Lake, the ground would be hosting an international side for the first time. Questions have been raised about the security arrangements at the open ground but a police team, which inspected the venue during the day, assured elaborate security arrangements.

"We have inspected the ground and elaborate security arrangements will be in place for the practice sessions as well as the match," said an officer.

The dressing room was being revamped with cushioned chairs and new bathroom fittings and electricity arrangements.

The West Indies will play the first Test against India at the Eden Gardens here Nov 6-10 and the second at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium Nov 14-18.

The Caribbean side will wrap up the tour with three one-dayers at Kochi (Nov 21), Vishakhapatnam (Nov 24) and Baroda/Kanpur (Nov 27).