Sporting wicket for third Test

AHMEDABAD, Oct 20: A sporting wicket is being prepared at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera, here for the third and final Test match b...

AHMEDABAD, Oct 20: A sporting wicket is being prepared at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Motera, here for the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand to be played from October 29 to November 2.

Stating this after a Press meet at the Gujarat Cricket Association8217;s office on Wednesday, curator of the ground and former Test player Dhiraj Parsana emphasised the importance of preparing fast wickets in the country with so many seamers coming up. 8220;There are at least eight very good medium pacers in the country waiting in the wings, so this is just the right time to encourage them,8221; he said.

Parsana, who is also a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India8217;s high-power grounds committee, added there were only two good spinners in India 8212; Harbhajan Singh and Sunil Joshi 8212; and that it was seamers who needed to be given grassy wickets8217;.

8220;The wicket will produce even bounce throughout the five days, and will assist the seamers for one hour in the morning each day, progressively taking more turn. It will be a true wicket with help for both the batsmen and bowlers,8221; he said.

Asked whether he had received any instructions on what sort of wicket to prepare, he replied in the negative, but did not rule out the possibility that instruction may be issued after the second Test at Kanpur starting on October 22.

During the meet, GCA president Narhari Amin said the Ahmedabad Test will be of great interest as it will decide the final outcome of the series, regardless of whether the Kanpur Test ends in a draw or victory for either side.

All preparations for smooth conduct of the Test have already begun, Amin said, adding the biggest attraction for the players on both sides will be the health club at the stadium itself. 8220;It is the first cricket stadium in the country to have a health club,8221; he said, adding that players would find the steam and sauna bath and the gym very convenient. Five new practice wickets at the stadium, which has a seating capacity of 55,000 spectators, are nearing completion.

Story continues below this ad

Mumbai8217;s Yellow Security Force will be deployed to take care of security arrangements, he said, adding that no spectator would be allowed to enter the stadium with tiffin boxes, firecrackers, bags or any other item which might pose security or organisational problems.

GCA president Narhari Amin said he expected a sizeable number of spectators as schools and colleges would be having a vacation. Moreover, the festival season is also expected to attract crowds.

Both teams will arrive in the city on October 27 morning from New Delhi. Ameesh Saheba from the city has been appointed reserve umpire for the Test.

Selectors and board officials are expected to be present and the Indian team for the Austrailan series and the India-A team for the one-day series against West Indies will be announced during the Test here.

Story continues below this ad

Sale of tickets
Season tickets for the Test will cost Rs 800 for the lower pavilion and Rs 600 for the upper pavilion, while daily tickets for both will cost Rs 200 and Rs 150 respectively. A place in the west stand gate 5 to 12 will cost Rs 30 per day, the rate for a place in the GMDC stand and above the sight screens will be Rs 50 per day, and in the north and east stands gate 15 to 21 Rs 20 per day. Ticket sales will start at various outlets a week before the Test and will continue at the stadium throughout the duration of the match.