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NEW DELHI: A Rinku Singh maximum broke the press box window glass at St George Park more than a year ago, and because a repair is unlikely to happen anytime soon, the ground management won’t object if the Indian batter signs the damaged area the next time he visits.
Rinku struck one of his signature unbeaten 39-ball 68 in a losing cause during the second T20 International against the Proteas in December 2023. During the knock, one of the two sixes broke the press enclosure’s glass window.
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Nevertheless, despite severe weather, including a storm that destroyed a portion of the roof in the stands last August, it has remained intact and has not completely collapsed to the ground.
Dale Steyn said Rinku’s hit a “great shot” and he apologized softly for damaging the press box window in the Graeme Pollock Pavilion.
Other urgent issues, such as the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the facilities here under financial constraints, have prevented the local management from feeling the need to make the adjustment.
It won’t be simple to replace the broken window glass either.
“You see, it is located at a specific height here and it will be a tough job to get it changed. Someone would have to be hoisted on a crane and then the repair work will be carried out, but we have focused on the more serious matters which have kept coming up,” a ground management official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“The ground is located near the (Indian) ocean, which means we have to constantly keep working to avoid corrosion in metallic pillars that support various stands and structures at the venue,” he explained.
Also, the glass “hasn’t harmed anyone so far and doesn’t look like it will.”
“Maybe we can get it autographed by Rinku whenever he comes over here next,” the official quipped before adding, on a more serious note, that it will be changed in due course of time.
India is not anticipated to visit South Africa anytime soon, so that would take some time. However, when India visited for a Twenty20 match in November of last year, the ground crew lost the opportunity to collect Rinku’s autograph.
The 27-year-old routinely competes in the shortest format.
The stadium official also brought up financial limitations, which have compelled them to concentrate their resources and attention on more crucial matters.
“There was a storm on August 14 and it blew away a part of the roof for which we had to pay 400,000 rands and it was a big portion. It (repairing the glass) will cost a lot of money,” he added.
According to the official, ground management personnel are only “custodians” of the stadium, which is owned by the local municipality.
He said the public has to believe that the people in authority are doing a good job.
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