Unsung Heroes: How Galle’s Groundstaff Masterfully Defied the Rain
Galle, Sri Lanka – While the roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, and the thrill of a wicket often dominate cricket’s narrative, a recent Test series in Galle shone a spotlight on a different, yet equally vital, force: the meticulously orchestrated groundstaff. As India and Sri Lanka battled it out, a dedicated team of 130 individuals, led by the astute Manjula, stood as a formidable barrier against the coastal city’s notoriously unpredictable weather, ensuring that crucial match time was never lost.
The final handshakes had just concluded, the broadcast crews were packing up, and the teams had departed. Yet, for Manjula and his 130-member team at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, the work was far from over. Rain, a frequent companion in Galle, immediately descended, but unlike the preceding days of intense activity, there was no frantic rush. Manjula, perched atop an advertising board, surveyed his domain as the multitude of covers – which had performed their heroic duties for a week – were neatly folded and stowed away, ready for their next call to action.
The intermittent downpours throughout the series opener kept Manjula and his diverse team constantly on their toes. This impressive workforce isn’t solely composed of permanent employees of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Only 16 individuals are permanent staff at Galle, supplemented by 10 experienced hands from Hambantota who travel for international fixtures. The remaining, and largest, contingent are local daily workers, hired specifically for the duration of matches and practice sessions, earning between 2,500 LKR and 4,000 LKR per day for their invaluable contributions.
"We have 16 permanent employees and 10 come from Hambantota whenever an international match comes to Galle," explained Manjula. "For the rest, we hire daily workers for the duration of the match and practice sessions."
The success of the Galle’s groundstaff lies in their seamless coordination and proactive approach. Their remarkable ability to cover the entire ground in under five minutes is a testament to their refined methods and unwavering dedication. This precision comes from constant observation and anticipating the elements. "We keep our eyes there," Manjula stated, gesturing towards the Indian Ocean near the iconic Galle Fort. "When clouds start building up, we know it’s coming. Then we are ready and wait for the official signal to start covering the pitch, square, run-up, and then the entire ground. That’s the order we follow. The reaction time is very important."
The sight of the groundstaff moving as one, dragging the colossal covers, is a marvel of synchronized effort. The first wave focuses on the pitch and square, timing their movements to avoid overlapping and to ensure maximum speed. This is crucial as the run-up and the rest of the field must be covered immediately afterward. These are no ordinary tarpaulins; a single 100×100 foot piece can weigh over 650 kilograms, making their rapid deployment even more impressive, especially when battling strong winds and driving rain.
"These are not light," Manjula said with a laugh. "They are well over 650 kg each for a 100×100 piece, and there are about 28 pieces we have to cover the entire ground and ensure no damage is done to the outfield."
Once the covers are in place, the next challenge is to secure them against the fierce coastal winds. More than 300 heavy rubber tyres are strategically placed onto the covers, rolled into position the moment the rain begins. "We keep these tyres over the covers because, as you have seen, it does get very windy," Manjula elaborated, pointing to the neatly stacked tyres behind the LED boards. "All this has to happen within a few minutes because the ground can’t be exposed for a long time. Sometimes showers are short but very strong. So reaction is key."
Even the act of removing the covers is an art form. It’s not a reckless pulling away, but a carefully choreographed process where the covers are rolled back with precision, creating waves that deposit rainwater near the ropes, preventing it from spilling onto the meticulously prepared field.
Adding to the groundstaff’s extraordinary efforts are the four functional Super Soppers at the Galle International Stadium. These mechanical marvels spring into action the moment the rain ceases, rapidly drying the outfield and preparing it for immediate resumption of play. Throughout the recent series, this combination of human skill and technological assistance ensured that the field remained in pristine condition, showing no visible signs of weather-induced interruptions.
As the series concludes, many of the daily workers will return to their regular lives, and some of the Hambantota contingent will travel back. However, their unwavering dedication and the seamless execution of their duties have not gone unnoticed. Their relentless efforts ensured that cricket, the cherished sport, continued uninterrupted, allowing fans and players alike to focus on the game itself, a testament to the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
