The Sunil M Gavaskar cricket field in Louisville, Kentucky, in USA is taking steps to be one of the leading cricket grounds in the US and one of the most beautiful international cricket venues in North America.
USA Cricket, the governing body of the game in the US, has had multiple discussions with officials of Louisville Parks and the Louisville Cricket Club to impart turf-wicket knowhow and the ensuing maintenance. Plans are also underway to build an international standard pavilion and a media area.
Suraj Viswanathan, a USA Cricket Board Director who has been working closely with the Louisville Cricket Club on this project, said, “One of the biggest challenges to developing competitive domestic cricket structures within the USA is the lack of good quality turf wickets that are available. To cultivate such wickets requires significant investment, knowledge, skill and time; and USA Cricket is delighted to see those factors coming together at the Sunil M Gavaskar Cricket field and to be able to support the plans. We look forward to seeing the progress in Louisville over the coming months and to scheduling some high-quality domestic and international cricket there in the future.”
The project for installing two turf wickets at the Sunil M Gavaskar field at Hays Kennedy Park is a public-private partnership between Louisville Parks and the Louisville Cricket Club. The project is set to commence later this month. “The Louisville Cricket Club has been a tremendous partner and in teaming with Louisville Metro, we’re showing our city is embracing this growing, worldwide sport,” said Dana Kasler, Director of Parks and Recreation in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Gavaskar Field is a true gem, and we are committed with Louisville Cricket Club to help make it an international showcase for cricket. With the planned improvements, Louisville Cricket Club is taking another step towards delivering on its vision of bringing quality cricket to our city and would like to acknowledge all the local, national and international support,” said Nikhil Deo, Board Member of Louisville Cricket Club.
The Sunil M Gavaskar Cricket field, home field for the Louisville Cricket Club, was inaugurated in October 2017 by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer & cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar.
“Louisville is an increasingly global community and, of course, a huge sports town. I’m thrilled that cricket has become such a part of our sporting landscape, and I can’t wait to see what’s next at Gavaskar field” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.
“It’s a great move forward,” said Gavaskar on the planned improvement at his namesake field. With planned turf wickets, pavilion in the near future, the Sunil M Gavaskar Cricket field in Louisville, KY, is on path to be one of the few international cricket venues in the US capable of hosting national/international cricket events and also become home to a proposed professional cricket team.
Cricket lovers in the USA are in for some exciting times,” added the former India captain.
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
#Cricketnews #SunilMGavaskar #LouisvilleCC #USACricket
