BCA ovals undergo maintenance
Dumisani Ncube | Friday January 9, 2015 12:27
The renovations are supposed to be completed before the start of the new cricket season next month. Both Oval A and Oval B behind the National Stadium will get a face-lift which includes scarifying the turf and planting new grass on patchy areas.
BCA secretary, Fazal Sheriff told Mmegi Sport that despite poor rainfall, the maintenance will go ahead as it is off-season. Good rains aid the watering of the turf but thus far, it has been a dry spell.
Sheriff said the BCA oval grounds’ staff is working on the pitches. He stated that there was no need to hire specialists to work on the pitches since they have dedicated personnel. “We are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate group of people who are responsible for the upkeep of our two cricket grounds,” he said.
He explained that off-season maintenance is vital because there is time to work on the pitches to keep them at required standards.
“During the season, you are limited in what can be done as the grounds have to be ready by Saturday morning, we need to take cognisance of the players’ health, especially when it comes to application of fertiliser during the season.”
Sheriff said the BCA needs a sponsor who can assist with fertiliser to help the grass grow properly.
Besides the maintenance of the fields, he stated that a set of two side screens will be installed at the main ground. He said the screens have been ordered from the UK and are expected in the country soon.
“We are also pursuing the possibility of installing an electronic score board at our main ground,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Under-19 boys team start their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers this weekend. The qualifiers kick off in the first quarter of the year. Bangladesh will host the competition next year.