LIVE ground analysis, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 vs. West Indies – an acid Test of Feroz Shah Kotla stadium
All eyes will be on the newly-laid Feroze Shah Kotla track when South Africa take on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in what would be World Cup opener for both sides on Thursday, 24 February, as it would not be the two outfits being tested but the track itself will be given
an acid test.
This would be the first ever international game played here after the venue was banned by the International Cricket Council in January last year.
The last match played at the Kotla stadium was short-lived One Day International between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 which was called off just after 23.3 overs as the match adjudicators found the track ‘unfit’ to host a match.
Later in the match report, Alan Hurst, one of the referees, described the pitch dangerous as the ball was getting alarming height after pitching.
Based on the match report the International Cricket Council (ICC) was expected to impose strict sanctions ranging from a financial penalty to twelve to twenty four months ban. The venue, at the same time was scheduled to host four World Cup matches and a
ban of more than 14 months would have meant, Kotla losing the hosting rights for the mega event.
The ICC, however, imposed a 12 month ban only and the historical venue was restored as an International cricket ground on 23 November 2010 after ICC’s pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson inspected the track and declared it fit to host the international cricket
matches again.
The new pitch was laid under the supervision of ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson and the chairman of Board of Control for Cricket in India’s ground and wickets committee, Mr. Venkat Sundaram. The curators have promised an even bounce and a fair contest
between the bat and the ball.
The outfield has a lush green look with the hybrid grass imported from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bermuda-c2853.
Originally a fortress established by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sultan-c91758 Ferozshah Tughlaq, the Feroz Shah Kotla venue was given the status of a cricket ground in 1883. The first Test match played at the venue was between India and West Indies on 10 November, 1948. The venue was designed
by famous architect Mr Danish Siddiqui and Naval Khanna.
The venue has undergone major reconstruction. Indoor practice facilities, improved media centre, flood lights and other requirements are made to make Feroz shah Kotla a prime International venue.
The ground has seven practice tracks, including one with a rebound world-class pitch with a high-quality pace and bounce.
Thundershowers are expected today at the Feroz Shah Kotla but that would not be a cause of concern for the curators as a new drainage system, including three heavy duty pumps, have been installed in the ground so that the excess water could be drained out
in minutes.
A total of 400 Million rupees has been spent on the renovation and expansion of the stadium. The capacity has increased to 60,000 spectators. However the boundary edges still make it one of the smallest cricketing venue in India.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 and District Cricket Association (DDCA) officials are confident that the 127-year-old venue is ready to host big encounters. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the newly-laid Kotla pitch reaffirms the confidence of ICC, BCCI and DDCA and meets
the hopes of Delhi fans as the match between Windies and Proteas is underway today.
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