Inspection at HPCA stadium for Test status likely

The HPCA stadium at Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Sep 28 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) is eager to make its picturesque cricket stadium here a Test venue.

The association has already requested its parent body -- the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) -- and put up a proposal in this regard.

"We have requested the BCCI for granting us a Test status and their response has been positive. There could be a representative from the International Cricket Council (ICC) who could be here to inspect the facility during the India vs West Indies One-Day International (ODI) on October 14," HPCA president Anurag Thakur said here on Sunday.

As per rules, the ICC inspects a venue and prepares a report for the BCCI, which then discusses and decides at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for Nov 20.

"Playing a Test match here will be a different ball game altogether. The bounce, the carry, the swing, among other things -- it will Test the bowlers and the batsmen," said Thakur, who is also BCCI's joint secretary.

Dharamsala will host the fourth ODI, slated for October 17, of the five-match series between India and the West Indies. It will be the second international match here. The first ODI was held in January 2013, between India and England. The venue has also hosted some Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.