Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium

{{short description|Indian cricket stadium}}

{{Use dmy dates|date = February 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date = February 2020}}

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium

| surface = Grass

| dimensions =

| seating_capacity = 5000–25,000

| tenants =

| former_names =

| construction_cost = ₹3 crore (US$420,000)

| operator = Salem Cricket Foundation, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association

| image = File:Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium.jpg

| owner = Salem Cricket Foundation

| opened = {{Start date|2020|2|10}}

| coordinates = {{Coord|11.646599|78.362975|display=inline,title}}

| location = Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

| website = {{URL|salemdca.com}}

| broke_ground = 2015

| field_shape = Circular

| logo_image =

| acreage = 16 Acres

| embedded = {{infobox cricket ground|embed=yes

|ground_name = SCF Stadium

|establishment = 2020

|floodlights = Yes

|tenants = Tamil Nadu
Salem Spartans

|nickname = Salem Stadium

|end1 = N Srinivasan Pavilion End

|year1 = 2020–present

|club1 = Tamil Nadu

|year2 = 2020–present

|club2 = Salem Spartans (TNPL)

|date = 13 February

|year = 2021

| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/ground/1261661.html

}}

| caption = Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium

}}Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium is a cricket stadium located in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India. It was established in 2020 by Salem Cricket Foundation with assistance from Salem District Cricket Association and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/new-cricket-stadium-inaugurated-in-tn/articleshow/74047143.cms|title=New cricket stadium inaugurated in TN - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-02-20}}{{Citation|title=சேலம் அருகே சர்வதேச தரத்திலான கிரிக்கெட் மைதானம் {{!}} Cricket Stadium {{!}} Salem|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vucuckUJHqs|language=en|access-date=2020-02-22}} It is the biggest cricket ground in the state in respect to play area ({{Convert|90|m||abbr=}}). Chennai Super Kings started its Super Kings Academy in this stadium.{{Cite web |title=CSK launch Super Kings Academy, Michael Hussey terms it 'fantastic initiative' |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/cricket/csk-launch-super-kings-academy-michael-hussey-terms-it-fantastic-initiative20220227140454/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=ANI News |language=en}}

The stadium has five pitches, 12 practice-turf wickets, players pavilion and press box.{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/rahul-dravid-inauguration-cricket-ground-in-salem-edappadi-palaniswami-n-srinivasan/article30776233.ece|title=Dravid believes next generation of cricketers will emerge from smaller cities and towns|last=Prasad|first=G.|website=Sportstar|language=en|access-date=2020-02-20}} It is also built with a drainage system which refills ground water periodically.{{Cite web|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/cricket-sports/future-of-tamil-nadu-cricket-brightens-with-india-s-next-international-stadium-q5jkaf|title=Future of Tamil Nadu cricket brightens with India's next international stadium|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en|access-date=2020-02-23}} The seating capacity is 5000 which can be increased to up to 25,000 during big events.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/salem/salem-to-soon-have-a-cricket-stadium-of-intel-stature/articleshow/59613797.cms|title=Salem to soon have a cricket stadium of international stature |date=July 16, 2017|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-02-20}}

As of February 2020, construction of stands for audience and parking facilities were planned by the Salem Cricket Foundation and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The stadium is hosted Ranji Trophy, Tamil Nadu Premier League and All India Buchi Babu International Invitational Tournament and the stadium is expected to host Indian Premier League matches as per the officials soon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/feb/10/tamil-nadu-cm-edappadi-palaniswami-assures-ipl-matches-at-salem-soon-2101255.html|title=Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami assures IPL matches at Salem soon|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-02-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/feb/19/coimbatore-salem-on-tnpl-map-this-season-2105419.html|title=Coimbatore, Salem on TNPL map this season|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-02-20}}