First Time World Cup in Lucknow: South African Team Arrives Today to Face Australian Players on the 12th
Admin The World Cup made its debut in 1975, and for the third time, India is hosting this prestigious event. However, this edition of the World Cup is unique in its 48-year history as it marks the first occasion where cricket enthusiasts in Lucknow can witness matches in their own city.
Image source: hindustantimes.com
On October 12th, at 2 PM, Ekana Stadium in Lucknow will host a World Cup match between Australia and South Africa. The South African team is set to arrive in Lucknow on October 8th, while the Australian team will land in the capital city on October 9th, beginning their practice sessions on Monday.
South Africa’s team is riding high on confidence after their remarkable victory against Sri Lanka, where they scored a whopping 428 runs—the highest total in World Cup history. Now, all eyes will be on Ekana Stadium to see if it can match the excitement of Delhi with high-scoring matches or if the players will face a tough challenge in accumulating runs.
Ekana Stadium is fully prepared for the upcoming matches. The stadium will host five World Cup matches this time, featuring teams like India, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Afghanistan, and the Netherlands.
Before this, India has hosted the World Cup three times in 1987, 1996, and 2011. In its 48-year history, this World Cup in Lucknow provides a unique opportunity for cricket fans in the city to savor the joy of witnessing World Cup action on their home turf.
Buses Ready to Transport Players from Hotel to Stadium and Back
Buses are ready to transport players from their hotels to the stadium and back. On Saturday, the entire day was dedicated to decorating these buses, with duties assigned to individuals associated with the World Cup. Separate buses have been arranged for both teams. In addition to this, the entire stadium has been adorned with hoardings and decorations in preparation for the tournament.
Expecting High Scores in Lucknow this Time
In Lucknow this time, there is an expectation of high scores in the matches. During the IPL, several matches played here witnessed high-scoring affairs. Additionally, even before that, in the T20 International match between India and New Zealand, the scores were quite high. It was the first match in which the Indian team did not hit a single six.
After the match, the team’s captain, Hardik Pandya, and bowling coach, Paras Mahambre, raised questions about the pitch. Following the IPL, the curator here was changed. Soil was imported from Maharashtra and Odisha to rectify the pitch, and claims have been made to prepare a better pitch.
Expectations for High Scores in Lucknow, Unlike Delhi’s Low-Scoring Match
The pitch at Ekana Stadium has sparked discussions due to its tendency to produce low scores in limited-over matches. This conversation has arisen after the South African team set a new record in Delhi during the World Cup, where three batsmen scored centuries in a single innings. Now, there is concern that the same team might not have to struggle for runs in Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium.
Ekana Stadium, one of the world’s most modern venues
Ekana Stadium currently stands as one of the world’s most modern venues. It offers better facilities in some aspects compared to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. One notable advantage is its drainage system. The Ekana administration claims that even if it rains continuously for 24 hours before a match and stops an hour before the game, they can still conduct a full 50-over match.
The stadium does not accumulate water, a fact witnessed during a One Day International (ODI) match with South Africa last year. Despite hours of rain, they managed to play a 45-over match. The match could have been a full 50-over game, but due to intermittent rain during the course of the match, they had to reduce it by 5 overs per side.
No Matches at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium This Time
Despite hosting matches for the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cups, Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium has not been allocated any matches this time around. After the inception of the Cricket World Cup, this will be the first time that World Cup matches are going to be held in Lucknow instead.
In 1996, a gap of 27 years since the last match in Kanpur, international cricket is making a return to Uttar Pradesh. Prior to Ekana Stadium, international matches have also taken place at KD Singh Stadium. A One Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was played here in 1989, and a Test match between Sri Lanka and India occurred in 1994. However, despite these matches, Kanpur has not been awarded any World Cup matches this time.
50,000 Spectators Can Witness Matches Together
Ekana Stadium can accommodate a crowd of 50,000 spectators at once. Among the stadiums hosting World Cup matches, it is the fifth-largest in terms of seating capacity. Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai stadiums have larger capacities than Lucknow. However, when it comes to facilities and aesthetics, it ranks second only to Ahmedabad.
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