Rain interruptions affected several Asia Cup matches, prompting dedicated ground staff to put in substantial effort to safeguard the pitches and playing field, ultimately restoring their usability.
On Sunday, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) jointly declared a monetary reward of $50,000 for the committed curators and ground staff in Colombo and Kandy.
This gesture acknowledges their tremendous efforts in preserving the pitches and playing areas during rain-induced interruptions that affected some Asia Cup matches, ensuring their playability.
Rain disruptions affected several Asia Cup matches held in both Colombo and Kandy
“Their unwavering commitment and hard work made the Asia Cup 2023 an unforgettable spectacle,” Jay Shah said in a tweet. “From pitch perfection to lush outfields, they ensured the stage was set for thrilling cricket action.”
“This recognition highlights the critical role these individuals play in cricket’s success. Let’s celebrate and honour their yeoman services!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
https://x.com/JayShah/status/1703356913264775482?s=20
Most of the Asia Cup games took place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy and the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Rain disrupted several group-stage matches in Kandy, and some Colombo matches also experienced rain delays.
On September 14, during the Super-4 stage, the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was affected by rain, resulting in a reduced game of 42 overs. Nevertheless, the diligent ground staff successfully maintained the pitch’s playability. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in that match, defeating Pakistan by two wickets.
Rain interruptions during the India-Pakistan match led to its rescheduling for a Reserve Day. Despite sporadic rain, the field was readied for this highly anticipated showdown. India emerged victorious in this encounter, defeating Pakistan by a significant margin of 228 runs.
Jyoti Shankar Nayak, a social media user, praised the cricket boards for acknowledging the hard work put in by the ground staff. “I am delighted to hear that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are recognizing the contributions of the curators and groundsmen.”
https://x.com/jnayak309/status/1703378690963566782?s=20
Somanath Mishra stated that these unnoticed champions truly earned every cent for their dedication and effort. “Cricket wouldn’t be the same without their dedication and expertise in maintaining those iconic fields. Bravo, curators and groundsmen of Colombo and Kandy!”
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