Post News Network
Cuttack, Sept 28: In a bid to ensure safety and security to the cricketers during the India-South Africa match at the Barabati Stadium here, October 5, hosts Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) is taking all precautionary measures. The OCA has decided to put up a netting around the entire area of play so no untoward incident takes place.
Barabati has a past record of spectator indiscipline as incidents of throwing water pouches and missiles at players have taken place. It had happened during an India-Sri Lanka match played December 21, 2009 and during the India-West Indies game in November, 2011. BCCI had expressed its displeasure over the matter and had warned the OCA of scrapping it as a venue, in case of recurrence of such events.
OCA, however, has learnt from its mistakes and is now erecting 40 foot netting across the ground to keep spectator emotions under control.
“For the first time Barabati is getting a chance to host a T20 match. Definitely it will be a high-intensity match. So there will always be a possibility of spectator interference,” said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera, here Monday. “To prevent this we have decided to put wire nettings across the ground. The work is nearing completion,” he added.
Meanwhile, work is on at full swing to keep the ground lush green as T20 games comprise diving and sliding during fielding. Groundsmen are working round the clock to keep the ground in shape.
