Kochi on strong wicket for ODI

Preparations are in the final stages to host Kerala’s first-ever  Day/Night One-Day International cricket match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on January 15.
Kochi on strong wicket for ODI

Preparations are in the final stages to host Kerala’s first-ever  Day/Night One-Day International cricket match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on January 15.

While the outfield is ready, the wicket awaits final assessment from BCCI South Zone curator P R Vishwanathan, who is expected to visit the stadium on January 12.

“Preparations are progressing as per plan,” Ernakulam District Cricket Association secretary Jayesh George told City Express on Wednesday.

“The outfield and floodlights are in good condition. Work on the wicket is over and P R Vishwanathan is coming on January 12 to make the final assessment,” he said. How much of the grass currently on the wicket is retained for the match and the exact nature of the wicket remain to be seen.

Meanwhile, Kerala Cricket Association - in tandem with Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), the owner of the 55,000-capacity stadium - has installed 60 street lamps around the venue to ensure better monitoring of crowd movement.

“KCA has joined hands with the GCDA to install 60 lamps around the stadium since it is a day and night game. We have spent around `18 lakh for the purpose. The lights can be used even after the match. It is a permanent set-up,” said Jayesh. Further, faulty chairs in the stands have been replaced and the dressing rooms refurbished.

Players’ dug-outs and covered walkways from the pavilion to the outfield are  also being made.

Around 10,000 tickets of varying denominations have already been booked, KCA officials pointed out.

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The New Indian Express
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