NEW DELHI: In a generous gesture of appreciation, the entire team of groundstaff who worked tirelessly to prepare the cricket grounds in Colombo and Pallekele for the Asia Cup, despite the challenges posed by a full-blown monsoon season, will be rewarded with a prize money of $50,000.
This announcement was made by the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Jay Shah, on Sunday. The recognition and reward are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the groundstaff who ensured that the tournament could proceed smoothly despite adverse weather conditions.
"Big Shoutout to the Unsung Heroes of Cricket! The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are proud to announce a well-deserved prize money of USD 50,000 for the dedicated curators and groundsmen at Colombo and Kandy," Shah wrote on 'X', formerly twitter.
"Their unwavering commitment and hard work made the Asia Cup 2023 an unforgettable spectacle. From pitch perfection to lush outfields, they ensured the stage was set for thrilling cricket action."
"This recognition highlights the critical role these individuals play in cricket's success. Let's celebrate and honour their yeoman services!" added Shah.
The Asia Cup tournament had originally been scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, due to India's reluctance to play matches in Pakistan, the ACC had to adapt by organising the event using a 'Hybrid Model.' Under this model, nine games were allocated to Sri Lanka as the host country.
The decision to host the tournament in Sri Lanka introduced a new set of challenges, primarily concerning the weather conditions in the region. The curators and groundsmen in Sri Lanka found themselves grappling with the constant struggle to prepare the grounds in time for matches.
Unfortunately, the inclement weather had a notable impact on the tournament. India's opening fixture against arch-rival Pakistan, which was scheduled to take place in Pallekele, was washed out due to rain. Throughout the competition, there were several instances of rain interruptions, which led to the application of the Duckworth–Lewis method to adjust match results.
In one instance, the Super-4 match between India and Pakistan had to extend onto the reserve day before India emerged victorious. Even the Asia Cup final had a delayed start due to rain, underscoring the significant influence of weather conditions on the tournament's proceedings.
