Work begins on Oval floodlights
Work begins on new floodlights at Oval cricket ground
Monday, 05, Jan 2009 02:32
Construction work on the new floodlights at the Oval cricket ground in south London has begun, with the installation expected to be finished by May.
The project, which was given the go-ahead late last year, will see four 130ft retractable floodlight pylons being built at the site to replace the outdated temporary systems currently in place.
Once finished, the lights will provide improved visibility during day-night games.
Some of the first fixtures at which the lights will be used include World Twenty20 group matches between Australia and West Indies and England and Pakistan in June and one of the competition semi-finals later that month.
There will also be some domestic Twenty20 fixtures played there in May and a one-day game between England and Australia as part of the Ashes tour in September.
The Oval's operations director Clive Stephens said: "The new lights we are installing should help safeguard the future of the Brit Oval as a major international ground for years to come.
"The system will allow us to bid for all international matches we choose.
"With a brand new outfield and drainage system and this new set of floodlights, the Brit Oval will have to be classed as one of the very best international cricket grounds in the world.
"The construction process has been planned and will be tightly managed over the next five months.
"However, if local stakeholders have any concerns at all, they should not hesitate to contact us and make their point."