West Edmonton cricket grounds ready for play

By Tyler Loutan

EDMONTON — After a full year of renovation, the west end Victoria Cricket Grounds are now the only cricket grounds in western Canada to have a natural turf pitch as per the international standards of professional cricket. Pitch renovations were completed in time to host the Edmonton and District Cricket League (EDCL) final.

Raheel Bhojani at bat, Taha Lodhi at runner, Abdullah Raheem at wicket keeper, Zain Ahmed bowling and Sohail Fida fielding at the EDCL Premier division final at Victoria Cricket Grounds, Sunday September 18, 2011. Photograph by Tyler Loutan.

“To build the pitch, I used the same blueprints for the Lord’s Cricket Grounds in England,” said Ken Rohoman, the contractor who renovated the Victoria Cricket Grounds. The Lord’s Cricket Grounds is one of the major cricket venues where England’s professional cricket team plays.

The Victoria Cricket Grounds has been under renovation since the last part of the 2010 season. The pitch was under construction to remove the older crushed brick surface and upgraded to a natural turf pitch. The resurfacing of the pitch came with a few obstacles that delayed the renovation.

“There were problems with the outfield around the pitch,” Rohoman said. “The outfield was built up higher than the pitch, which made a kind of bowl where water would pool, which flooded the pitch when it rained. The outfield had to be landscaped until it was somewhat level with the pitch.”

Cricket grounds consist of an outfield made of grass and the pitch (infield) that is designed to create a hard surface. Before the renovation, the three cricket grounds in Edmonton were made of crushed brick, covered with fabric matting.

“I think having a real turf pitch is going to help make better cricketers in Edmonton,” Rohoman said. “Having a pitch that’s up to code with professional cricket gives the players a chance to get the real feel of playing top-level cricket.”

The two finalists, Rising Stars and Millwoods Cricket Club, battled for the EDCL premier division championship at the grounds on Sept. 18.

Jacob Ramkelawan, a standout local cricketer who was selected to Canada’s National team, was happy to have the Victoria Cricket Grounds back in full action. “Victoria has an atmosphere that you don’t get on the other grounds,” Ramkelawan said. “It’s one of the nicest grounds in Canada. It’s in a great location and it’s always good to be here, whether you’re playing or watching.”

In the championship match at the Victoria Cricket Grounds, a rematch from last year, Rising Stars defeated Millwoods Cricket Club to become the 2011 Champions in Edmonton’s top division. Millwoods Cricket Club did its best to defend its score of 133 runs, but Rising Stars prevailed with only seven overs remaining. This is Rising Stars’ second straight championship in the premier division.

The Victoria Cricket Grounds will be ready for match use all next season, which is expected to begin in early May.