Chepauk ground staff trying their best to ensure India v England Test starts in time

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) ground staff had a big task at hand, they are not only expected to roll out a decisive pitch for the fifth and final Test match of the India v England Test series but a couple of days ago the challenge intensified with the news of Cyclone Vardha approaching the coastal state.

They got into action and covered every corner of the ground with sheets and nailed them around to ensure wind didn’t blow them off. While the storm hit the city, the Chepauk staff was still there on duty to minimize the damage that the Cyclone may cause to the ground.

Now that the Cyclone has passed they are doing all in their strength to ensure the match starts well on schedule and the conditions are like they should ideally be. Former England skipper Naseer Hussain who is commentating in the series reached the ground and tweeted a photo as the ground staff tried to dry down the wicket with coal. Naseer wrote, “Ground staff trying to dry the pitch at Chepauk with coals !!”

Ground staff trying to dry the pitch at Chepauk with coals !! pic.twitter.com/6kgphnDvY0

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) December 14, 2016

Earlier TNCA secretary Kasi Viswanath had on Tuesday said that there was no ‘uncertainty over the Test match’.

“The wickets and ground are perfect. The pitches and outfield have been covered and those are in good shape. There has been some damage. Sightscreens have fallen down, bulbs from the floodlight towers have fallen down. Some gates have fallen, but those things we are clearing. We have been fixing the bulbs. Two towers we fixed today and the rest we will do tomorrow. We have two days, we should be alright. There’s no uncertainty over the Test,” Viswanathan was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

The stadium is equipped with quality drainage system and even if it rains for the next couple of days leading into the Test match it will still be ready in time for the game. “Even during the last year’s heavy downpour, we never had any water stagnation inside the stadium,” Viswanath added.