The Indian cricket team will open its tour of New Zealand with an ODI in Napier, while Auckland and Wellington have been awarded the two Test matches in the list of venues announced for next year's series here on Tuesday, says a report in Hindustan Times, adding that the series, comprising five one-dayers and two Test matches, will start January 19 next year.
“The Indian tour will see Test cricket return to Eden Park after the success of this year's England Test attended by 39,000 fans. The second Test will be held at the country's premier Test venue, the Hawkins Basin Reserve, which sold out on the Saturday of the England Test. The series will also feature a two-day warm-up game in Whangarei,” says the report.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Indian Express, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought response from the Centre and the Indian cricket board on allegations that authorities have failed to protect the honour of the national flag during matches.
The court also issued notices to West Bengal government and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as the plea mentioned incidents of alleged disrespect and dishonour to the national flag at the Eden Gardens during the third Test match between India and England from December 5 to 9, 2012 and India- Pakistan ODI match held on January 3, 2013.
"We agree that photographs depict serious concern,” a bench comprising Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai said and asked all the respondents to file their response within four weeks.
The petition filed by Kamal Dey, Editor and Publisher of Barta Nyay, sought stay of Calcutta High Court decision which had held that there was no deliberate disrespect of the national flag.
