It has been over a year since a Rinku Singh maximum smashed the window glass of St George Park's press box and with a repair unlikely anytime soon, the ground management won't mind the Indian marauder's autograph on the damaged portion the next time he is here.
It was in December 2023 that Rinku, during the second T20 International against the Proteas, hit one of his trademark unbeaten 39-ball 68 in a losing cause. One of the two sixes during that knock ended up breaking the glass window of the press enclosure.
However, it did not fully crumble to ground and has stood tall despite the harsh weather, including a storm that took away a part of the roof in the stands last August.
After damaging the press box window, which is located in the Graeme Pollock Pavilion here, Rinku had offered a soft apology for his hit which was termed as a "great shot" by the legendary Dale Steyn.
It hasn't felt a need to change it because of other pressing matters such as periodic repair and management of the facilities here amid budgetary limitations.
The cracked window glass also won't be easy to change.
"You see, it is located at a specific height here and it will be a tough job to get it changed. Someone would have to be hoisted on a crane and then the repair work will be carried out, but we have focused on the more serious matters which have kept coming up," a ground management official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"The ground is next to the (Indian) ocean, so we have to constantly work to avoid corrosion in metallic pillars that support various stands and structures at the venue," he explained.
Also, the glass "hasn't harmed anyone so far and doesn't look like it will."
"Perhaps we may get it signed by Rinku whenever he visits us the next time, perhaps," joked an official after commenting seriously that this too will undergo a change sometime.
It would be some time as India is not likely to visit South Africa anytime soon. During that time, the ground staff did miss a photo opportunity with Rinku's signature when India were here for a T20 engagement in November last year.
The 27-year-old is a regular in the shortest format.
Budgetary constraints, said the stadium official, make them keep their efforts and money focussed on more important issues.
"There was a storm on August 14 and it blew away a part of the roof for which we had to pay 400,000 rands and it was a big portion. It (repairing the glass) will cost a lot of money," he added.
The official said the stadium belongs to the local municipality and the ground management staff are mere "custodians".
He said the public must feel that those in charge are doing a good job.
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