Chch likely venue for two games

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 30

Chch likely venue for two games

Christchurch will host two matches on the Australian cricket team’s tour of New Zealand next summer — provided a suggested itinerary from the New Zealand Cricket Council’s board of control is accepted by the Australian Cricket Board.

In addition, the council approved the two under age tournaments. The under 22 tournament, replacing the under 23 contest, will be hosted by the Northern Districts association, and will begin on December 28. All teams will play each other in one-day matches. The under 19 competition, replacing the Brabin Cup for under 20 sides, will be held

They are Messrs Bricknell, Hastie, T. McCall and N. W. Stoupe (Northern Districts), S. C. Cowman, Woodward and A. H. Hart (Wellington), B. L. Aldridge, Goodall, I. C. Higginson, R. Hoskin and R. L. McHarg (Canterbury), J. Fitzgerald, W. Garrick, G. Morris, N. F. Tapper (Otago), G. I. J. Cowan, B. V. Dennison, J. D. Matheson, K. M. Wallis (Auckland), B. Blommaart, Kinsella, G. Reardon and R. Trott (Central Districts). The venues for the firstclass programme were announced at - the meeting. Canterbury will meet Auckland, Northern Districts and Wellington in Christchurch, and will play Central Districts in Palmerston North, and Wellington and Otago in those three main centres.

The N.Z.C.C. has suggested three tests be played, at Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, and that the tour also include three-day fixtures against the North Island at Napier, and a Presidents XI at Christchurch. The first week of the tour could be filled by three one-day matches, at Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington.

in Blenheim, starting on November 29. Again, all games will be of one-day duration. A one-day inter-island match will be played at Alexandra on December 19, and the New Zealand team will get a chance for preparation to meet Australia with a three-day game against the Rest, probably at Wellington, on February 8-10. The test umpires’ panel was announced. It is Messrs B. A. Bricknell and J. B. R. Hastie of Northern Districts, F. R. Goodall of Canterbury, S. J. Woodward of Wellington, and D. A. Kinsella of Central Districts.

The N.Z.C.C., also approved a national competition for provincial B teams for 198182. The major associations will be split into two sections, with Wellington, Otago and Canterbury comprising one, Northern and Central Districts and Auckland the other.

Canterbury will play two of its Shell Cup games at minor association venues. It will face Central Districts at Wanganui on January 14, and will play Northen Districts at Rangiora on January 4. The Shell Cup final will be on February 6.

The teams will play two three-day games, under Shell series conditions, with the L top two teams playing a final.

A total of 24 umpires have been named on the first class panel for next season.