Sri Lanka WC venues on track: ICC

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new venues for next year’s World Cup are on track but the refurbishment of an existing stadium is behind schedule, according to the International Cricket Council.

Sri Lanka will stage 12 matches at the Premadasa stadium and at the newly-built grounds in Pallekele and Hambantota.

“With the exception of the Premadasa stadium, others are on track to play a few first-class and international matches before the tournament starts,” said ICC’s structural engineer, Eugene van Vuuren.

Sri Lanka Cricket is spending around $8 million to renovate and re-lay the pitch at the Premadasa stadium.

“Premadasa is a worry for me,” said ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson. “I’d like to get some games in to try out the pitch conditions before the big show next year.”

Published in the Express Tribune, June 8th, 2010.