The fifth ODI between India and New Zealand will prove to be a litmus test for the venue.
Vishakhapatnam
: With less than a month left before it hosts its first Test match, the Andhra Cricket Association, which was recently mired in a pitch controversy, is leaving no stone unturned to make it a success.
Ahead of the India-England November 17 Test, the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA face a litmus test on Saturday as they host the five-match ODI series decider against New Zealand.
-"We hope to pass with flying colours,-" ACA secretary and BCCI vice president G Gangaraju, also an MLA from Naraspuram told PTI.
-"The (Ranji match) controversy was just because of confusion between the local and the Board curator. The pitch for tomorrow's match and the Test next month are completely different.-"
The pitch made headlines for all the wrong reasons when Rajasthan skittled out Assam for 69 in their second innings in a Ranji Trophy match ending inside three days. 17 wickets fell on a day that included 11 in LBWs, and former India spinner and Assam coach Sunil Joshi questioned the stadium's ability to host an ODI in two weeks' time.
-"The wicket was not rolled properly following a confusion. One wanted to use heavy roller while the other a light one.-"
Since then BCCI's curator K Sriram is supervising the wicket and is here for a fortnight.
-"He will be here till the Test. There is no apprehension whatsoever. It's a fresh wicket tailor-made for batting. I promise you at least 260-270 runs tomorrow,-" Gangaraju said.
Chief national selector MSK Prasad, the most popular face in Andhra cricket, had a close look at the pitch this morning.
-"He expressed his satisfaction at the wicket and the stadium is ready for the Test match,-" Gangaraju concluded.
The 28,000 capacity stadium hopes to get full house on all five days, come November and the ACA have plans to bring in about 5-6,000 school and college children.
Hailing the Board's move to award Tests to small centres, the selection committee chairman told PTI: -"Indore Test has shown that the popularity has not diminished.
-"It's really a noble gesture by the BCCI to award Tests to tier-two cities. We have seen top cricketers coming from such cities. We expect an overwhelming response. All credit to the ACA.-"
Elaborating the development plans undertaken by the ACA, the chief selector said they have 18 first-class grounds and four residential academies of which Guntur caters to only women boarders. The other three academies being Kadapa, Guntur, Vizianagaram Mangalagiri.
-"(Former India Under-19 captain) Ricky Bhui is a product of the academy,-" he signed off.
