Since: 1974.
Capacity: 45,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: Final (April 2); Group stage: New Zealand vs. Canada (March 13), New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka (March 18).
About the venue: The Wankhede Stadium has been considered the main cricket venue since being preferred to Brabourne Stadium as the home to India's cricket nursery in the 1970s. It is located close to the coastline in the country's commercial and entertainment capital and a sea breeze aids swing bowling. There was concern over construction work but the ICC gave it a provisional go-ahead for all its matches in January.
Since: 1883.
Capacity: 48,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: South Africa vs. West Indies (Feb. 24), West Indies vs. Netherlands (Feb. 28), Canada vs. Kenya (March 7), India vs. Netherlands (March 9).
About the venue: Nestled beside a 650-year-old fort in a central part of the Indian capital, it had been known for its placid pitches. But it surprised the cricket world with a relaid surface that had so much bounce that a one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka was called off in December 2009. A one-year ban was slapped on the venue before the ICC declared it fit to host international matches.
Since: 1993.
Capacity: 30,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: Semifinals (March 30); Group stage: South Africa vs. Netherlands (March 3), Ireland vs. West Indies (March 11).
About the venue: Located just outside the northern Indian city of Chandigarh near the foothills of the Shivalik ranges, it is considered one of the best venues in India. It hosted the 1996 World Cup semifinal between Australia and West Indies. It had a lively pitch early on but the pace has significantly slowed over the years.
Since: 1916.
Capacity: 50,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: New Zealand vs. Kenya (Feb. 20), England vs. South Africa (March 6), England vs. West Indies (March 17), India vs. West Indies (March 20).
About the venue: The MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as the Chepauk Stadium, has been a regular international venue since 1934. The sultry conditions can be sapping but it is known to have a sporting crowd that appreciates good performances from any team.
Since: 1864.
Capacity: 67,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: Ireland vs. South Africa (March 15), Ireland vs. Netherlands (March 18), Kenya vs. Zimbabwe (March 20).
About the venue: Venue of the 1987 World Cup final, it also hosted a World Cup semifinal in 1996, which was awarded to Sri Lanka after a rowdy crowd disrupted the match by starting a fire and throwing bottles onto the ground when the Indian team slipped into a losing position. Delayed renovation forced the ICC to relocate the India vs. England group match to Bangalore. Renovations have reduced the capacity from 90,000 to 67,000.
Since: 2008.
Capacity: 45,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: England vs. Netherlands (Feb. 22), Australia vs. New Zealand (Feb. 25), Canada vs. Zimbabwe (Feb. 28), India vs. South Africa (March 12).
About the venue: The VCA Stadium is a new facility in Jamtha area on the fringes of the western Indian city that replaced the older VCA Stadium in the heart of the city. It boasts superb facilities and a lush green outfield but its location makes it more difficult for fans to travel to the venue.
Since: 1982.
Capacity: 54,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: Quarterfinals (March 24); Group matches: Australia vs. Zimbabwe (Feb. 21), New Zealand vs. Zimbabwe (March 4).
About the venue: Located on the banks of the Sabarmati river on the outskirts of this western Indian city, the venue is also known as the Motera Stadium. It was renovated for the 2006 Champions Trophy, when it hosted five of the 15 matches. It is a regular test as well as one-day venue.
Since: 1972.
Capacity: 50,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: India vs. England (Feb. 27), England vs. Ireland (March 2), India vs. Ireland (March 6), Australia vs. Kenya (March 13), Australia vs. Canada (March 16).
About the venue: Situated near the beautiful Cubbon Park in the heart of the 'tech' city, the Chinnasawamy Stadium is a regular cricket centre. It was renovated before the 1996 World Cup, when it hosted the quarterfinal between India and Pakistan. It also houses the National Cricket Academy, which was established in 2000.
___
Since: 1986
Capacity: 35,000
World Cup 2011 matches: Semifinals (March 29); Quarterfinals (March 26); Group matches: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan (Feb. 26), Sri Lanka vs. Kenya (March 1), Pakistan vs. Canada (March 3), Australia vs. Sri Lanka (March 5), Australia vs. Pakistan (March 19).
About the venue: Khettarama Stadium, as it was previously known, was built on a marshland in the capital as one of the earliest flood-lit grounds in Asia. It was renamed R. Premadasa Stadium, in 1994, after Sri Lanka's late President Ranasinghe Premadasa who pioneered the project. The venue has undergone a complete upgrade for the World Cup with improved spectator and corporate facilities. The ICC approved the venue despite concerns over delayed construction work.
Since: 2009
Capacity: 35,000
World Cup 2011 matches: Pakistan vs. New Zealand (March 8), Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe (March 10), Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe (March 14).
About the venue: The venue was planned as an alternative to the picturesque Asgiriya Stadium, formerly the centre of cricket in Sri Lanka's central hills of Kandy. Asgiriya is owned by an Anglican mission school and a need for an alternative venue arose with problems in scheduling international fixtures at a school ground. After a slow start to construction, Pallekele Stadium was eventually certified to host three World Cup matches. Muttiah Muralitharan has played a key role in realizing a new venue and there are proposals to name the ground after the great Sri Lankan spin bowler.
Since: 2009
Capacity: 35,000
World Cup 2011 matches: Sri Lanka vs. Canada (Feb. 20), Pakistan vs. Kenya (Feb. 23).
About the venue: Constructed for World Cup, the venue is named after Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa and is situated in the town of Sooriyawewa in the southern Hambantota district. The ground is yet to host a full international match because of construction delays and bad weather.
___
Since: 2006
Capacity: 25,000
World Cup 2011 matches: Opening match Bangladesh vs. India (Feb. 19); Quarterfinals (March 23 and March 25); Group matches: Bangladesh vs. Ireland (Feb. 25), Bangladesh vs. West Indies (March 4), Bangladesh vs. South Africa (March 19).
About the venue: Previously known as the Mirpur Stadium. Later it was after renamed after A.K. Fazlul Haque, who is popularly known as Sher-e-Bangla or The Lion of Bengal. He was a scholar and politician during British colonial regime. The stadium is 10 kilometres outside of downtown Dhaka and boasts excellent infrastructure and facilities. The opening match of 2011 World Cup between Bangladesh and India will be held here, as well as group matches and two quarterfinals.
Since: 2004.
Capacity: 20,000.
World Cup 2011 matches: Bangladesh vs. England (March 11), Bangladesh vs. Netherlands (March 14).
About the venue: Was formerly known as Chittagong Divisional Stadium and Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium, Chittagong. Situated outside Bangladesh's second-largest city, it was one of the five purpose-built cricket grounds established in the run-up to the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. The stadium was granted full international status in January 2006, ahead of Sri Lanka's visit to Bangladesh.
Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment