CRICKET STATE OF WICKETS AT FIVE PARKS CRITICISED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29665, 8 November 1961, Page 15

CRICKET STATE OF WICKETS AT FIVE PARKS CRITICISED

The preparation of some grounds for cricket in Christchurch left much to be desired; there appeared to be a discrepancy as to the amount of work to be carried out by clubs and the City Council's reserves department staff, said Mr F. F. Dawson at a meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association Last night. Mr Dawson is convener of the ground sub-committee. At his suggestion, the committee decided to write to the reserves department, seeking a definition of its responsibility in the preparation of grounds for cricket at Elmwood, Linwood, Sydenham, Macfarlane, and Burwood parks. Cricket clubs would then know where the department's responsibility ended ■ and theirs began, said Mr Dawson.

The chairman (Mr J. T. Eltoft) described as “disturbing and distressing” the fact that three of the association’s senior wickets—those at Lancaster, Macfarlane, and Sydenham parks—were out of commission. Hagley Park was thus being called on for three senior matches each week, he said. Giving a detailed report on the state of the Sydenham senior wicket, Mr Dawson said its condition was not as advanced as it should have been, even allowing for the hard use the ground had received late in the Rugby season.

The No. 1 block at the park had been promised for the third round of matches, but it was doubtful whether it would be able to be used for the fourth round, he said. Heavy watering had been ordered, for until the seed struck on the bare patches the pitch was not suitable for play. Referring to Macfarlane Park, Mr Dawson said the room previously used as dressing accommodation was no longer available to the East Christchurch-Shirley club and temporary changing accommodation was needed before the ground could be used for senior matches. It was impossible to ask a team to play all-day cricket at the park without changing facilities being available, he said. Mr A. G. Williams, who is assistant secretary of the Sydenham club, said that four

Rugby games had been played on the park on a wet day in September—although the director of reserves (Mr H. G. Gilpin) had given the Canterbury Rugby Union authority to play only one game there. As a result, not only had the No. 1 block been damaged but the outfield had been scarred as well, he said. The dry weather had not helped the seeding, but no matter what was done to the wicket the outfield could not be played on at present, he added. It was impossible for a bowler to run up to the wicket; when a second-round match was set down for the park the team’s selected had intended to omit fast bowlers from the side for fear that sprained ankles would result.

Mr Williams said this was the first occasion that such a situation had arisen at Sydenham Park and he felt that the Sydenham club could expect some tolerance. The position was unfortunate, but beyond the club’s control, he said.