Inexperienced but audacious young Lankans dare to dream
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
Geelong braces itself for an invasion as cricket fans in Australia and around the world swarm to Melbourne’s popular holiday hotspot over the weekend beginning October 16.
Barely a fortnight after the AFL Grand final winning celebrations, residents expect a massive influx of Cricket fans numbering many thousands who will throng GMHBA Stadium to watch teams from Sri Lanka, Namibia, UAE and the Netherlands battle it out in the qualifying rounds for the top two spots in group A to play in the main event.
Hospitality will be stretched to breaking point, but the ICC are satisfied that the town is ready to meet all expectations related to accommodation and other hosting services.
Thousands of cricket mad Sri Lankans who always dominate crowd numbers at cricket games in Melbourne are expected to outnumber all else, and they are advised by ICC Head of operations Max Abbott to secure their tickets prior to heading for Geelong.
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Upbeat, and brimming with new found confidence, the Lankans appear to be the surprise package of the World Cup. ” Winning the Asia Cup has given us confidence that we can repeat that performance here” said Bhanuka Rajapakse at an interview prior to them departing for Geelong.
Under Dasun Shanaka and coach Chris Silverwood there seems to be an aura of unpredictability that can deliver the unexpected, many fans say.
The 18,000 limited capacity stadium, currently undergoing construction, is expected to be sold out for all games in the group A battle and hordes of fans making the trek are advised to secure their tickets before getting there.
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The Victorian government has stepped up their contribution to host the event in collaboration with the ICC and Max Abbott says its all systems go at this stage.
Train services will be ramped up to meet the anticipated surge to Geelong and in this respect several services from Melbourne suburbs will be increased to get people to Southern Cross station where connecting services will ferry fans to Geelong. Attempts to get a direct link to Geelong from Dandenong and other suburbs was not possible says Abbott.
West Indies, Ireland, Scotland and Zimbabwe will contest group B of qualifying at Hobart and Bellerive ovals.
