Kalahandi Cup cancelled due to flood

Two postponements later, this year``s Kalahandi Cup Senior Inter-District Cricket Tournament was finally cancelled on today. This time the reason is the devastating flood throughout the state, Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) secretary said. Originally set to be played from June 21, the tournament was first postponed to September 15 due to OCA elections. The need for the second postponement came due to ``heavy rain throughout the state``. Meanwhile, the tournament assumed significance with Vedanta Alumina Limited becoming the title sponsor, offering Rs 30 lakh. According to the last revised schedule, the tournament was supposed to be held from September 23 to October 2. But flood has finally sealed the fate of the tourament, which serves as the basis for selection of players for state Ranji and under-22 teams. Instead of the tournament, a day-long trial will be he held at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on October 2 to pick up players for the two state teams, an OCA release said on Saturday. Players representing last year``s Ranji, under-22 and under-19 (if not eligile for u-19 this year) teams are eligible to join the trial directly. Besides, all the affiliated units of OCA have been informed to send the top two players of their respective area for the selection trial.