ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
Dates: 19 February-2 April Venues: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Coverage: Highlights on BBC TV (see listings), Red Button & BBC Sport website at 2200 GMT every day (UK users only); Live Test Match Special commentary (BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Sport website, some games also on BBC Radio 4 LW) and live text commentary on all England matches and selected other major games; Also live on Sky Sports

Mumbai officials hope the stadium will still stage April's showpiece event

Cricket World Cup officials are confident that the Wankhede Stadium will host the final on 2 April despite a failed fire safety inspection.

Mumbai's chief fire officer revealed several problems needed correcting before the event received the go-ahead.

But World Cup tournament director Professor Ratnakar Shetty told the BBC: "The reports of non compliance of fire safety norms are speculative.

"The fire officers have advised us of some changes and they've been made."

Shetty said the fire inspection was not scheduled until Monday, adding: "We are waiting for them to have a look. There is no need to worry about anything. The matches will happen as per schedule."

As well as the final, the stadium is lined up to host two Group A games in March.

The first is on 13 March between New Zealand and Canada, with the second match in Mumbai involving New Zealand and Sri Lanka five days later.

The doubts concerning the venue have risen following a visit by two fire officials on Wednesday with the Wankhede Stadium being found to be lacking certain safety facilities.

Mumbai's chief fire officer Uday Tatkare was reported to have told the Press Trust of India: "The team has found that the newly renovated stadium has many loopholes in its fire safety mechanism.

"The stadium must be in compliance with the fire safety conditions. Once they abide by the terms we would again conduct an inspection.

Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens has also faced safety issues ahead of the tournament which gets under way on Saturday.

The Group B game between India and England on 27 February was switched to Bangalore as a result but Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary Lalchand Rajput calmed fears that the Wankhede Stadium could suffer a similar fate.

He added: "We are not concerned about the venue being taken off the World Cup list."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version