In pictures: World Cup venue in Hambantota 22 days before ICC deadline
December 8, 2010 (Island Cricket): The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (a/k/a Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium) in the southern district of Hambantota will host two World Cup fixtures during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. With a capacity of 35,000 and measuring 200 meters by 200 meters, the stadium is the largest on the island.
The stadium was initially expected to be completed by August, 2010; well within the ICC's original deadline of November, 2010. However, thanks to a revised and extended deadline of December 31, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has another 22 days in order to complete construction at the venue.
A Chinese construction worker is seen at work while ground staff (background) lay rain tarps over the pitch at The Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium in the southern district of Hambantota on December 8, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI.
Construction work is still evident at The Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium in the southern district of Hambantota on December 8, 2010, just weeks before the ICC deadline for World Cup venue completion. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI.
Although the playing surface is ready for cricket, the stands are yet incomplete. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI.
You may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.
Comments
I don't think SLC cares for the ICC deadline. It looks like they are targeting February the month the WC starts.
25 January 2010
3 weeks 2 days
200 by 200 METRES????? OMG that has to be one of the biggest grounds in the world if not THE biggest,I know for a fact that thats bigger than the MCG and the SCG and those two are huge.
It seems like the Chinese workers have got the same disease as the Sri Lankan ones never finish anything on time.I wonder what would have happened if Sri Lankans were employed after all we built MASSIVE TANKS(WATER), WORLD HERITAGE SITES SO ON AND SO FORTH
With all the haste being made (to protect someones ego) I wonder whether it will be safe to sit in the stadium even after completion.China recently is famous for crumbling buildings.
8 December 2010
18 hours 55 min
Lets all wait and see when Khetterama, Pallekele and Sooriaywewa are fully completed...I'm sure many negative comments by journalists especially that mighty midget Trevor Chesterfeield will have to eat his words! I honestly dont care whether Sooriyawewa is the biggest playing area or not; who the hell cares! Its better to have a smaller playing area...25 meters on either side will not be used? A smaller playing area is intimate...closer to the spectators! its big enough to have a running track? maybe thats the whole idea in the future? commonwealth games? hmmmm.
20 November 2008
2 min 43 sec
SunJ, you're on to something there. I heard chatter some time back that this will be the world's largest cricket ground/stadium.
To: Martin on December 8, 2010
Dear Martun, don't you know that ICC has allowed SL to carry out construction work even at the lunch break on the match days at every ground.
Ha ha.. Good one!
Listen here boys, the blame game has now begun: http://www.islandcricket.lk/news/srilankacricket/slc-bats-for-sec-and-vice-versa
13 December 2010
1 year 21 weeks
SunJ
We are waiting for some pictures of the Diyagama International Cricket Stadium...Please upload some since you close by
Dear Martin, Don't say SLC does not care about dead lines...?Some dead lines are more important for them..Don't forget that they selected our national team for the world cup two weeks earlier the dead line while two major domestic tournaments were still going on...!!!
15 January 2011
1 day 14 hours
Adoo! Nice to find you guys and expect fast straight balls from this end. First question: Why arent we playing the current games at the WC venues. Sure they are under construction but surely not the wicket. There is no advantage in playing at the SSC when there are no WC games at the SSC. Guys we need to take every advantage after all that's what the home advantage is about. I suggest moving the games to the WC venues imediately so the guys get to knwo the wickets ahead of the WC.
Post new comment