The Saurashtra Cricket Association is confident of hosting the third Test between India and England, scheduled to he held here at the SCA Stadium from February 15, after a severe cyclonic storm on November 26 wreaked extensive damage to the media box at the venue.
“In this belt, we had the effect of a cyclonic twister that settled in the stadium for almost 10 to 15 minutes and severely damaged our media box and some other areas. The gym, admin office, some glass panels and furniture were also damaged, but media box was most affected,” SCA secretary Himanshu Shah told Sportstar on Tuesday, while adding that three to four roofs above the stands adjoining the media box at the east end were also damaged.
A general view of Press Box of Saurashtra Cricket Association after badly damage during cyclone in last month ahead of Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi Final 1 between Haryana and Tamil Nadu in Rajkot, Gujarat on Tuesday December 12, 2023. | Photo Credit: The Hindu / Vijay Soneji
With the venue gearing up to host its first Test since 2018 when India takes on England here from February 15, Shah says all the restoration work will be completed by the end of January and there is no need to keep another venue on standby.
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“We are very confident that much before that [February 15] we will be able to restore areas that are damaged. Required work is also initiated and ongoing. By January 18 or 20, we will be able to take care of major areas which are damaged. One or two areas will be done by January 31. By January end we should be ready with all the areas.”
The venue is currently hosting the knockout stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The semifinals and final, starting here from Wednesday, will be played under lights, with the matches scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST. Shah said that all the stands at the venue will be open for spectators.
A general view of Press Box of Saurashtra Cricket Association after badly damage during cyclone in last month ahead of Vijay Hazare Trophy Semi Final 1 between Haryana and Tamil Nadu in Rajkot, Gujarat on Tuesday December 12, 2023. | Photo Credit: The Hindu / Vijay Soneji
With all four quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday scheduled in the city, only two were held in the complex of Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The other two games took place at the remote Sanosara Cricket Ground ‘A’ and ‘B’, about 30 kilometres from the SCA Stadium, off the Jamnagar Highway.
“Our domestic matches of Saurashtra Cricket Association have been played there since one or two seasons. This is being developed by us mainly for domestic matches of BCCI as well as Saurashtra Cricket Association. A very modern pavilion is almost on the verge of completion and the final touches are being given,” Shah said.
He expects the venue to be completely ready in about a month and said that more domestic matches will be held here in the future.
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