India, West Indies match on track: Official

Kochi, Oct 8 (IANS) West Indies will be playing the first ODI match against India here, assured an official said as the team arrived at the stadium.

Putting an end to speculation that the visiting West Indies team might not arrive to take part in the first ODI match against India at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the team left for the stadium from their hotel Wednesday around 12.30 p.m. and arrived at the stadium. 

The TV channels here had reported a pay dispute between the team and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) had worsened. 

Kerala Cricket Association president T.C.Mathew ruled out of any confusion and said the match will go on smoothly.

"We do not know if there was an issue. But one thing what I can tell is that, if it was there, then all the things have been cleared and the news that they may not play is absolutely baseless," said Mathew. 

It had rained heavily Tuesday night.

It has not rained since 6 a.m. Wednesday morning and "hundreds of workers appeared to have done a good job and cleaned up the ground that was completely covered. The ground and pitch appears to be fine and I don't think there will be a delay," said a KCA official who did not wish to be identified. 

The first ODI between West Indies and India is scheduled to begin at 2.30 p.m. Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.