Andhra Cricket Association secretary Ch. Arun Kumar on Wednesday said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would directly pay the vendors and would look after the expenditure of the India ‘A’ and New Zealand ‘A’ Test series which will take place in Mulapadu, near Vijayawada, from September 23.
Disclosing the details of the four-day two-match series, he said the representative from BCCI was already here to look after the smooth conduct of the matches. “The State associations are not receiving funds from the BCCI following a Supreme Court order passed as per the Lodha Committee recommendations last year. Owing to cash crunch, many of the infrastructural projects of ACA are also in limbo,” he pointed out.
Both the teams will clash from September 23 to 26 and from September 30 to October 3 and later move to Visakhapatnam to play five one-day internationals from October 6.
Mr. Kumar said Mulapadu stadium which was spruced up with an expenditure of ₹17 crores on 13 acres had already hosted India- West Indies women ODI and T-20 series last year. “This is the second International fixture,” he said.
He said it would be an great opportunity for cricket buffs to watch the future stars of both the countries.
He said all the facilities were in place for the proper conduct of the event. “We have a super-sapper ready along with plastic cover to face the rain threat. The advanced drainage is also properly planned so that the rainwater runs down the slope quickly”.
Both Rahul Dravid-coached India ‘A’ team and Shane Bond-coached New Zealand ‘A’ team will stay at Hotel Gateway and they will have practice sessions at Mulapadu from September 21.
“Despite staff shortage owing to Dasara festival, the police department has provided us sufficient personnel as security and we are also taking the help of the private security agency,” he said.
ACA secretary said Mangalagiri stadium, which is built with an estimated cost ₹ 120 crores will take two more years for completion.Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Rishab Pant, Priyank Panchal are some of the players of the India team.
ACA treasurer K.S. Ramachandra Rao, ACA Central zone secretary Koka Ramesh, Mulapadu stadium incharge Durga Prasad, were present in the meeting.
