All on track for Twenty20 CWC
31 August 2007
In less than two weeks' time the inaugural ICC World Twenty 20 Championship gets under way, with The Wanderers hosting the opening match, between South Africa and the West Indies on 11 September.
Tickets for the opening fixture and the final, both to be played at the Johannesburg venue, have been sold out. However, the CEO of Gauteng Cricket Alan Kourie says fans can still obtain tickets for several other games at The Wanderers.
"Ticket sales have been steady, but there are still some left, and we're expecting they will disappear quickly as we near the tournament," he said.
27 matches, three venues
The Wanderers is one of three venues that will be used in the 27-match tournament; Newlands in Cape Town and Kingsmead in Durban also cracked the nod.
Kourie is thrilled that "The Bull Ring" – as The Wanderers is known because of its electric atmosphere – was chosen for the event.
"I think that the
Wanderers Stadium has, over the last few seasons, proved that it is a great ground and therefore I think it's right that we have these kinds of fixtures," he explained.
High-scoring pitch
The pitch at the Wanderers has produced some high-scoring matches and one absolutely unforgettable contest in recent times; in March 2006, South Africa chased down Australia's world record 434 for 4 in a one-day international to win a match that some have labeled the greatest ODI ever.
Kourie is expecting groundsman Chris Scott to produce pitches conducive to offensive, exciting cricket.
He explains: "Chris has gone out and asked various people for ideas and concepts of how best to get the wicket and the outfield ready for early September, as it is about a month before we would normally be ready. I have every confidence in him that he will get it right."
Long preparations
Scott says his preparations for the ICC
World Twenty20 began a long time ago. "Knowing quite well in advance that the event was happening, we started our spring treatment at the end of last season, instead of waiting until this time of year, as usual. We are well ahead of schedule on our preparations and the pitch itself is looking in good condition.
"The pitch will be just a little bit slower than we normally would have it, simply because we don't have the hot temperatures at this stage to really get a nice, hard, well-baked wicket. Having said that, I still think the wickets will be good, and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of good runs being scored.”
Newlands upgraded
A lot has been happening at Newlands, where the finishing touches are being put on the upgrading of the picturesque ground.
Western Province Cricket CEO Andre Odendaal says: "We've spent a lot of time dolling up the "Old Lady" - a term used by many to describe Newlands - which celebrates its 120th
anniversary this year.
"We are getting the stadium into peak condition for this event, and it will also mean that it will be looking great for a number of celebratory events that we are hosting this season."
Improvements
Odendaal elaborated on the work that has been carried out at the stadium: "We put in a million rand into the stadium and the ground's upgrade. We've painted the President's Pavilion, checked the entire drainage system on the field, and under Peter Muzzell, we've also re-grassed 1600 sq. m of the outfield.
"We look at the pitch on a weekly basis with outside people helping, and we put in a hot house tent to keep the rain off, so we could control the water content and the pitch table during the wet winter."
Newlands ICC World Twenty20 project officer Russell Adams is happy with the results: "I think in terms of the preparations that we've done here at Newlands to ensure that the facility is in good condition and
well prepared for this tournament, we certainly will have our ducks in a row, and will make sure that it is of a standard that is suitable for every team that is coming down to Newlands."
Selling fast
He says tickets have been selling fast in the Western Cape and has urged fans to grab what is left or risk missing out.
"Our double-headers are sold out, our semi-final is sold out, and there are very few tickets left for the remaining group stage matches. The Newlands faithful have been absolutely brilliant for the last 120 years and we appreciate the support."
TICKET INFORMATION
On the Internet: Computicket
Call Centre:
(Open Monday to Saturday, from 08:00 to 20:00)
International +2711 340-8600
Local 083 915 8000 or (011) 340-8600
Shopping centres:
Computicket Stores are located national in all major
centers as well as at Money Market counters at Shoprite Checkers
Cricket Stadia
Wanderers Cricket Stadium, Johannesburg
(011) 788 1008
Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
(021) 657 2003
Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban
(031) 335 4200
Important Ticket Information
Customers will only be issued with a receipt and tickets will be available for collection from Wednesday, 15 August 2007 onwards.
Customers will be required to retain their receipts as proof of purchase and will need to present their receipt along with their I.D. book when collecting their tickets.
Customers are encouraged to collect their tickets early.
Customers will be limited to a maximum of 6 tickets per match or Double header.
Customers who purchased tickets via their credit card and I.D. will need to present the credit card used for the purchase on collection of the tickets.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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