Asia Cup 2023: Ground workers battle rain as Premadasa will get prepared for Super 4 and closing

In an island nation like Sri Lanka, which faces intermittent – if not heavy – showers even throughout the supposed dry spell of mid-June until mid-September, floor workers at numerous worldwide cricket venues are the silent heroes.

While the 100-odd groundsmen on the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium labored wonders on Monday to make sure a lead to India’s final preliminary-round match towards Nepal, their counterparts on the nerve centre for Sri Lankan cricket will likely be in focus over the subsequent fortnight.

The floor workers on the R. Premadasa Stadium have been working additional time ever since final week’s heavy downpour subsided.

And their chief-in-command is assured that near-perfect situations will likely be introduced to the remaining six video games of the Asia Cup, together with the ultimate, over the subsequent fortnight.

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“The weather prediction is dodgy. It rained here this morning, too, making the wicket and nearby areas a little wet,” mentioned Godfrey Dabrera, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief curator, on Wednesday afternoon.

“The outfield, too, has soaked in a good amount of water. But we are working hard, and we are confident of preparing the ground in time for the matches.”

For a lot of the final fortnight, your entire outfield on the Khettarama stadium – as is the stadium referred to by locals – has been lined. Despite flooding within the close by areas, the bottom workers have been diligent in guaranteeing minimal harm to the bottom.

More than the outfield, the largest concern will likely be whether or not the pitches will play honest for the six matches, together with the ultimate, to be performed in 9 days.