Irish cricket stadium 'on track' for World Cup

Irish cricket stadium 'on track' for World CupImage source, INPHO/Morgan TreacyImage caption, Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher, second from the right, was among those present at the turning of the sod ceremonyByTimothy AbrahamBBC Sport JournalistPublished3 minutes agoIreland's new cricket stadium is "on track" to be ready for the 2030 men's T20 World Cup, says Cricket Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane.The stadium at Abbottstown is primarily being funded by the Irish government through Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport. Keane and Sport Ireland chief executive Dr Úna May and chair John Foley were joined by Irish politicians to turn the first sod at the site in the northwest suburb of Dublin, on Tuesday.The venue will have permanent seating for 4,240 spectators with the ability to bring in temporary stands for major events, which will expand the total capacity to 12,000.There has been a slight delay in construction amid some final discussions with architects FaulknerBrowns on minor design features of the stadium, but Keane is confident the project will be delivered on time."It's progressing well. I'm confident that we're on track," she told BBC Sport."All the plans have now been agreed. We think we probably need to just do another look at that again, because you have to keep up with things as they evolve. "But we're actually at a really good stage."Construction firm John Sisk were made the preferred tender for the project which will be delivered in two stages with the seating, high-performance centre and a pavilion built in the first phase.Work will begin on installing a square in the autumn with the International Cricket Council keen for the playing surface to have sufficient time to bed in before the tournament.Keane added: "I'm very grateful for the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland and the government, because I think people have also heard what we've said in terms...