Inside the world’s highest cricket stadium ‘tailor-made for James Anderson’ where England stars could play in SLEET
ENGLAND could play in sleet at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
The world’s highest cricket ground will host the fifth Test against India this week.
Standing 1,457 metres above sea level, the venue is situated against a backdrop of the Himalayas in Dharamsala, India.
Opened in 2003, it has a 23,000 capacity and is home to the Punjab Kings IPL team.
Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama is amongst the famous residents to live in the area.
However, it will be England’s cricketers in town this week as the fifth Test against India gets underway on Thursday.
Plummeting temperatures had thrown the match into doubt, though, with forecasts initially predicting sleet and temperatures as low as five degrees Celsius.
It is now expected to be warmer at around 17 degrees at what is regarded as one of the most picturesque cricket stadiums in the world.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium’s pitch is also seen as the quickest in India.
High altitude makes the ball move faster, making the surface an ideal fit for England’s James Anderson.
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The pace bowler is in the squad for the fifth Test as he chases his 700th Test wicket.
England have already lost the series, though, with India extending their lead to 3-1 by winning the fourth Test by five wickets in Ranchi.
This week’s match is only the second Test to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
India won that match, beating Australia by eight wickets on their way to a 2-1 series victory in 2017.