State of domestic cricket venues is pathetic

[rkt.india]

Even though players from the first-class circuit have been fretting over the abysmal conditions in domestic cricket for years now, it took a bitter remark from Harbhajan Singh to draw everyone's attention. He found "the condition of the outfield shocking, making sliding and diving while fielding a huge risk." He was representing Punjab during the Vijay Hazare Trophy and seemed completely taken aback by the sorry state of affairs. About three years ago, during a first-class match, my team was told to refrain from using spikes on practice surfaces. When we inquired the reason behind such an absurd order, we were told that the pitches in the practice arena would deteriorate beyond repair if we played with spikes on. That was rather bizarre. The fact that we were preparing for the domestic Twenty20 tournament and were expected to play with spikes in the matches was of no importance. Hence, we were forced to play with the training shoes. Now, practicing, especially bowling, with training shoes with no firm grip is flirting with danger, for the absence of spikes increase the chances slipping or twisting an ankle manifold. Not at ideal preparation, one would say. But a man has to do what a man has to do. We carried on with our routine without fussing about the facilities, which were obviously well below par and out of our control. First-class cricketers in India have over the years mastered the art of staying in a bubble. If we want to perform, we must learn the art of taking inadequate facilities in our stride, for worrying about them would leave very little time to think about the game. Even though my team and I didn't appreciate the fact that we were told to practice sans the spikes, little did we know that it was a dry run for the real thing! In one of the matches, the track was far too dry with cracks wide open threatening to break further at the mere hint of iron spikes walking on it, leave alone running full throttle to deliver a bowl or taking a run. It was advisable to dump the spikes and play wearing the trainers. Unfortunately, nothing has changed even now. While as a system we spend crores to boost our national cricket, its poor cousin, first-class cricket, goes disregarded. This when first-class cricket is the breeding ground of future India cricketers. While Bhajji only spoke of the grounds, the state of domestic venues is further exposed by the sheer apathy of the administration. During the match I mention above, another team played simultaneously on an adjacent ground in the same complex. Players and officials from four participating team - which would be close to a 100 individuals - were asked to share the solitary washroom in the main pavilion. While the teams playing in the main ground had a roof over their heads in the dressing room, the teams in the secondary ground had to sit in a tent, which served as a makeshift dressing room. It goes without saying that the ground with such facilities had one of the roughest outfields too, not ideal for aspiring Jonty Rhodes because one dive could account for a layer of skin and a slide could result in a twisted knee. I wouldn't hesitate in mentioning the name of this ground - Palam, which used to be my favourite. I made my first-class debut against the home team Services on the same ground and, hence it holds a special place in my heart. Back then it used to be a fine cricket ground boasting of lush green outfield and a responsive pitch. But, a lot has changed since then. With so much money in the BCCI coffers, it's about time that all these grounds used for first-class cricket adhere to similar norms and boast of good facilities in place. While teams like Services and Railways don't receive the funds from the BCCI, it cannot be taken as an excuse for sub-standard facilities. Sadly, this malaise isn't limited to these two associations, for still there are many associations (who are receiving crores every year from the BCCI) guilty of not upgrading the facilities. Not too long ago, a ground in Agartala had huge potholes on the outfield, another one had hundreds of dead mosquitoes in the washroom, a ground in UP didn't have a pitch to practice before the start of a Ranji trophy game and the list goes on. Once again the onus is on state associations to step up, move with the times and be accountable. The money received by the BCCI is meant for spending on development of cricket and the facilities. If they still continue to pay no heed, it may not be a bad idea for the BCCI to crack the whip and stop filling the state associations' coffers. http://cricketnext.in.com/blogs/aakashchopra/2974/63321/state-of-domestic-cricket-venues-is-pathetic.html

[Sooda]

I dont get it, what do they do with the money BCCI gives them?? Horde it up so they can upgrade to an international venue?

[Precambrian]

yeah i thught these chaps receieved excellent money from BCCI?

[Cricket_Guru]

cant be worse...pindi cricket stadium

[Cricket Tragic]

Smaller venues are still poor but Indian stadiums have improved out of sight over the past few years.

[Sachin=GOD]

Talking of pathetic - see Green Park in Kanpur. A combination of greed from the Govt and apathy from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has completely ruined this stadium. Green Park stadium is one of the few international stadiums in India which is not owned by the Cricket Association of that state so everytime there's a match, the UPCA has to take the stadium on lease from the Govt and the Govt charged exorbitant fees which the UPCA wasn't able to pay on many occasions which led to many conflicts between UPCA and Govt over the years.