Surat’s Lalbhai Contractor Stadium set to make international debut

India Women and South Africa Women are set to lock horns in a five-match T20 International series, which is scheduled to get underway on September 25. All the encounters will be day-night affairs and would be played under the floodlights. In the meantime, it has been learned that Surat’s Lalbhai Contractor Stadium is most likely to play hosts to the international series.

The Surat District Cricket Association (SDCA) is trying its heart out to make all the necessary arrangements in order for the series to take place. If the venue hosts the games then the ground will join the elite list of cricket grounds in the country to host international matches.

“Twelve poles with 384 lights giving 1500 watt of electricity are ready to provide all required light international standard cricket,” Mayank Desai, the treasurer of SDCA, was quoted as saying to Women’s Criczone.

Surat will be able to showcase its potential

Prior to the matches, the teams will sweat it out in a couple of warm-up encounters. Sounding confident about the work that has gone in for the development of the stadium, Desai said that Surat will be able to display its potential and stay in contention for more matches in the future.

Desai further stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) curators will visit to see the preparation of the pitch. The Lalbhai Contractor Stadium has been formed to accommodate 8,000 spectators and can also temporarily arrange for another 20,000 on a makeshift basis.

“The two warm-up matches will be played before the five internationals to be played on September 25, 27, 30 and October 3 and 5. All international standards and required facilities are being set up. With proper live telecast of these matches on international sports channels, Surat will be able to showcase its potential and put up its case for future international matches strongly,” the treasurer remarked.

A few of the members of the Indian women’s team are playing in the 2019 Women’s Super Cricket League in England. The likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s T20 captain, and Jemimah Rodrigues are part of the series. The tournament ends on September 1 following which they will return to India and play the series against South Africa.

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