Sourav Ganguly questions ICC on not using full ground covers despite incessant rains playing spoilsport in the World Cup so far
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The incessant rains in England, more so during the past 10 days , have dominated over the fun and excitement that the game, players and their ardent fans bring to the table. We have had as many as 4 matches been abandoned due to rain in the World Cup so far, which have thereby resulted in heavy losses for the travelling fans as well as the stakeholders involved in the mega event.
The fans have been arguing that although there is a provision for 100% refund on ticket prices in case there’s no play possible on that particular day, they still have to incur heavy losses with regard to their hotel bookings and flight tickets, and thus the increased animosity.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has also opened up on the prevailing issue and has indirectly questioned the ICC on its inadequate provisions in dealing with the same.
What did Ganguly say?
Ganguly, who is currently in England as one of the three Indian commentators broadcasting the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, has suggested England and the ICC to resort to full ground covers instead of resorting to the ones which are in use currently.
He referred to those covers which are, and have been used at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in similar conditions. Moreover, the covers (which he is referring to) were imported by the BCCI from England itself back in 2016 during the ICC T20 World Cup. He further exclaimed that the covers would prove to be cost-effective, as they would be exempted from import taxes.
“The covers that are used in India, at the Eden Gardens are from England and using them here (in England) would have meant spending half the cost and it is also tax-free, so they should have used those here anyway. In India, we use these covers for all matches, so that when the rain stops the match can resume within 10 minutes,” Ganguly said.
Translucent Covers
He further opined that, the current covers which are in use in India, are comparatively quite light-weighted, thus consume less manpower and time while placing them on and off the field. What is also advantageous, is the fact that the covers allow the light to pass through them which not only dries up the surface underneath, but also maintains the colour of the grass on the pitch.
“They are very light covers, it’s not difficult to lift it, you don’t need too much manpower. The blue covers that were used earlier in India, used to take more than 10 times the time and people in comparison to now. The covers that are in Eden Gardens and in Lord’s are translucent covers, so light goes past it,” Ganguly mentioned.
“This way the grass won’t dry up nor will the colour change from green to brown, if you use them to cover the outfield. For such important matches, and in a tournament like the World Cup — especially in a country like England, where the rains are so frequent, having these covers are very important, especially on the outfield as well,” added the 46-year old.
All the teams, barring Hosts England and the defending champions Australia, have had at least one match abandoned due to rain in the ongoing World Cup.
