Lights up on more night innings for cricketing hero’s city oval
More night games and “much-needed” seats are on the way for a park lands oval in a multimillion-dollar upgrade.
The SA Cricket Ground that hosted this year’s Sheffield Shield is in line for a $10 million upgrade to lighting and spectator seats.
Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Rhiannon Pearce announced the state government would fund half of the upgrade at the oval on Wednesday morning saying the already “great venue” based on Port Road’s Gladys Elphick Park would become “world class” and facilitate the growth in women’s cricket.
“We are firm believers that you cannot be what you can’t see and as a government, we are doing absolutely everything that we can to help ensure that there are pathways for girls in sports all the way from grassroots through to the elite level,” she said.
“We’re going to ensure that there are more night games here at Karen Rolton Oval so not only can local boys and girls see their superstars on the TV screens on home ground, but they’re actually able to come out and have a hands-on experience seeing those that they look up to most.”
SA Cricket Association Chair Will Rayner and Adelaide Strikers allrounder Ellie Johnston were at the announcement with the minister saying that in coming days, new 1500lux lights – in line with Australian cricket standards for domestic matches – would be brought in, with the existing lights moved to the oval behind the cricket centre.
For cricket fans, Rayner said the current “really steep dirt embankments” on the eastern side of the oval named after former Australian women’s cricket team captain Karen Rolton would be landscaped with terrace seating.
“They’ll be turned into lawn terraces that are far more accessible, far more comfortable for people to come and watch cricket,” Rayner said.
The works will be completed in time for the Australian women’s cricket team to play two one day internationals against New Zealand, expected later this year – a first for the national women’s team at this venue.
“This investment in Karen Rolton Oval is a major step forward for women’s cricket in South Australia — not only for the professional game, but for community and junior cricket,” Rayner said.
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“The upgraded lights will enhance night matches and lift the experience for players, fans and broadcasters alike, while ensuring this venue serves the next generation of cricketers.”
Pearce said the oval could be used for major events when Adelaide Oval is unavailable, but did not confirm if it could be a future Gather Round venue.
“We do know that we do have football played here at Karen Rolton Oval, and we are always looking for opportunities to enhance opportunities for sport and sharing the facilities but today, this announcement is purely about cricket and what we can do to back in cricket in our state,” she said.
Karen Rolton is one of Australia’s most decorated players and is a Legend of Women’s Cricket in all three formats of the game – Test, One Day International and Twenty20. In 2001, she achieved Australia’s highest individual score of 209 not out, and is one of six women to score a Test double century. Karen holds the highest score for Australia in Women’s Twenty20 cricket with an unbeaten 96.
She captained Australia from 2006 to 2009 and played in two World Cup winning teams in 1997 and 2005. Karen was the inaugural International Player of the Year in 2006 and Australia’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year on four occasions.
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