Cricket facilities in hill country on track

Upgrading of facilities to Kandy’s cricket community by Sri Lanka Cricket is picking up pace. “So far over 50% of the work on the sprinkler system at Dharmarajah College Grounds has been completed” said its Cricket Development Officer Priyantha Algama speaking to The Sunday Times.

The other two grounds that have come under the close scrutiny of SLC are the St. Anthony’s College and Kandy’s perennial International venue – the Asgiriya Stadium.

St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota has been earmarked for four new centre wickets at the cost of Rs.230,000’-, a top dressing for Rs.84,000/-, outfield repair for 40,000/-, filters for 50,000 and a sprinkler system which will cost Rs.2.5 million.

The sprinkler system for the Asgiriya Stadium will also cost Rs.2.5 million while two centre wickets will cost Rs. 600,000/-. However with regard to the Asigriya Stadium, the development work is still at discussion stage with the school authorities who are physically in charge of the stadium. Algama said “As the ground is owned by the school authorities we have a problem there. Whatever the development work that we effect there is reversed within a short period as a result of the ground being used for general school activities which is beyond our control. Prior to every international match which we schedule for the Asgiriya Stadium, certain needed development work is carried out, but by general usage of the facility it is nullified within a short period of time – especially in the Grand Stand and the press box areas.

“As we see from our point of view is to develop an alternate pavilion and keep it for the use of general purposes while the Grand Stand will be revamped and will be kept only for big matches and International matches. That way we may be able preserve the standard of this facility for a longer period. However the school authorities must agree to these proposals before we could come up with any development work”.

With regard to the Pallekelle Stadium, in spite of the SLC taking over, no new construction work has begun there and the development work in earnest will begin only in 2008 or its whereabouts. - SRP