With excitement sky high over the much-awaited T20 international cricket match between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium on June 12, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is leaving no stone unturned to successfully host the game.
As there is a possibility of advancement of monsoon in Odisha around June 12, the OCA has made elaborate preparations for smooth conduct of the match in case of inclement weather.
While the association has cover to protect the ground from getting wet, it has procured a super sopper from Australia at a cost of Rs 50 lakh to ensure that rain may not play a spoilsport.
Speaking about the features of the super sopper, an official said, “The machine is powered with a 35 HP engine. Sponge-type materials are used in the wheels of the machine to soak water and dew from the ground. The water soaked by the wheels gets stored in the trays fitted inside the wheels.”
“The trays can accommodate about 300 litres of water. Once the trays are filled, we take the machine out of the ground and pump out the water. Once the water is pumped out, we again bring the machine and soak the water. In this way, we dry up the whole ground. Thus, it helps the match from getting cancelled in case of any bad weather”
Asked how the machine will help in case of rain during a match, he said, “As soon as the rain is stopped, we start the machine. With the help of the machine, we can dry up the ground within 30 to 45 minutes.”
Notably, the visitors South Africa is scheduled to play a 5-match T20 series in India from June 9 to 19.