GCA spends Rs 30 cr for 2nd test match between India-SA

Ahmedabad, Mar 28 (UNI) The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has set up a grand stadium at a cost of Rs 30 crore for the second Test match to be played between India and South Africa from April 3 to 7 at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Motwara.

GCA President Narhari Amin told reporters here today that the association has completed all the work for providing facilities to the players on the ground and has also equipped the stadium with ultra modern amenities at a cost of Rs 30 crore.

The seating capacity of the stadium has been increased to 51,000 with the installation of additional bucket seats in the north and east stands, Mr Amin said, adding that the entire stadium has been covered with a roof, which makes it rare in comparison to all other cricket stadiums in India.

With a view to maintain the interest of cricket fans, the pitch has been designed to produce a variation in behaviour during the match, GCA ground curator and former Test player Dhiraj Parsana claimed.

Mr Parsana said, ''The pitch will help all three aspects -- batting, pace bowling and spin bowling of the game. On the first three days, the pitch will help the pace bowlers with bounce and swing, however, the batsmen with good determination, skill and techniques will score good runs. On the fourth and the fifth day, the pitch will give support to the spinners.'' Mr Amin, who is also the vice president of the BCCI, said both the teams are expected to arrive here on March 31 and are likely to practice at the 10 practice-pitches prepared by the GCA at Ground-B, which is adjacent to the main stadium.

Mr Amin also informed that the GCA is going to put up two giant LCD screens in opposite directions to display the scores, which will enable the spectators from any corner of the stadium to watch the replays of vital moments of the game.

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