Oval Pitch In Good Condition

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31207, 3 November 1966, Page 18

Oval Pitch In Good Condition

The cricket pitch at Lancaster Park was in very good condition, Mr J. C. Saunders, chairman of the ground committee, told the monthly meeting of the Victory Park Board last evening.

This was because of the excellent work put in on the main oval block in the week after the “take-over” from Rugby, he said. Arrangements had been made for the oval cricket pitch area to be levelled, topdressed and seeded and this had been carried out by the g.oundsman (Mr C. Barnes) in conjunction with an officer of the Turf Culture Institute. An excellent strike of seed had been obtained and careful preparation from now on should enable a top-clrss wicket to be maintained throughout the season, he said. During the winter, a light

sprinkling of pure sand on “certain parts” of the oval had eased the problems created by muddy patches. After the preparation of the oval block, the outfield had been scarified and seeded, and this week had been treated with fertiliser. At present, Mr Saunders said, the whole ground would benefit from rain.

“The representative practice block which was topdressed during the autumn is looking in excellent order and the practice nets on the back ground are again of a high standard,” Mr Saunders said.

Area Resown “Special Canterbury Cricket Association colts’ nets have been conducted there since October 17. The area, from which the winter returfing of the oval was taken, was levelled and resown about three months ago and has made almost complete recovery.” The Canterbury Cricket Association’s request to hold its second single-wicket tournament at Lancaster Park on November 27 was granted. Mr Saunders said approval would have to be given by the City Council and admission prices approved. The board aiso declared the oval available for the Australian B cricket teams’ matches against Canterbury (February 17, 18, and 20) and New Zealand (March 16, 17, 18 and 20).