All eyes will be on Kotla pitch
February 18th, 2011 - 9:47 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) All eyes will be on the Feroze Shah Kotla pitch when the West Indies and South Africa play their World Cup match Feb 24, the first international game after the venue was banned for one year for “dangerous” wicket in the India-Sri Lanka ODI 14 months ago.
Kotla will be hosting three more World Cup games, including India-Netherlands match March 9.
The stadium came under a cloud when the India-Sri Lanka game was abandoned after 23.3 overs in December 2009 due to “unplayable pitch”. A month later, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned the venue.
The freshly laid pitch, under the supervision of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ground and wickets committee chairman Venkat Sundaram and the ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, promises an even bounce and a good contest between the bat and ball. The outfield with the hybrid Bermuda grass has a lush green look.
“We also have got poly vinyl light weight covers from the US and these covers can easily be pulled over the square. We also have canopy covers to ensure the pitch retains a bit of moisture,” Sundaram said.
“Also, we have a new drainage system installed at the ground, so that the surplus water could be collected in a sump and pumped out in minutes. There are three heavy duty pumps installed to drain out the excess water.”
The practice area has been overhauled and lights have been installed. There are seven practice pitches, including one with a rebound ace surface with good pace and bounce. The surface is from Australia and is used at the Alan Border Institute of Excellence in Brisbane.
Also, new bowling machines are in place.
The Kotla, officials at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) say, is ready for the big encounter.
- ICC reinstates Kotla as an international cricket venue - Nov 23, 2010
- DDCA rues lack of World Cup warm-up matches at Kotla - Feb 16, 2011
- Kotla pitch is ready for World Cup: Atkinson - Feb 19, 2011
- Smith circumspect of Kotla pitch and dew ahead of Windies clash - Feb 23, 2011
- No demons in Kotla track - Feb 24, 2011
- DDCA brings back Radhey Shyam as Kotla curator - Dec 29, 2009
- Tight security for World Cup games at Kotla - Feb 21, 2011
- Delhi cricket pitch committee quits after Kotla fiasco - Dec 28, 2009
- Ferozshah Kotla ground re-instated as international venue - Nov 23, 2010
- ICC okays BCCI bail out for Kotla (Lead) - Jan 21, 2010
- DDCA unhappy at the ICC using the word 'suspension' - Feb 11, 2010
- Kotla likely to escape with a lighter ban - Jan 08, 2010
- Could Kotla fiasco have been averted? - Dec 28, 2009
- Pitch will help seamers in the first 10 overs: Ganguly - Apr 02, 2011
- No ban on Kotla, ICC experts to oversee pitch preparation - Jan 14, 2010
Tags: andy atkinson, bat and ball, bermuda grass, border institute, bowling machines, ddca, district cricket association, drainage system, excess water, india bcci, india sri lanka odi, international cricket council, international game, poly vinyl, rebound ace, sundaram, surplus water, venkat, wickets, world cup games