Lancaster Park complaints

Press, 9 January 1987, Page 12

Lancaster Park complaints

Sir,—As a visitor to Christchurch over many a Christmas period, I always look forward to the cricket at Lancaster Park. However, during the recent fixture between Canterbury and Central Districts I was appalled at the inefficiency of the scoreboard. This has annoyed me in the past, but never more than the other day. Batsmen were credited with runs they had not made, and this was not corrected until some overs later. Bowlers were credited with wickets they did not take, the identification light was beside the non-striking batsmen, incorrect scores were given when the batsmen were dismissed, and it was well into the Canterbury innings before the Central Districts total score was registered. These are but a few things which at an international ground I find inexcusable. I was amazed at the lack of a catering service. For lunch, a pie and a stale packet of chips. Has Canterbury not heard of sandwiches, salad rolls, sausage rolls, and American hotdogs? At Molyneaux Park, Alexandra, they even serve such food as steak sandwiches. I think the paying public deserves better.— Yours, etc.,

S. J. HUMPHRIES. Invercargill, December 31, 1986.

[The executive officer of the Canterbury Cricket Association, Mr B. T. Eathorne, replies: “Research and design details are currently being studied for the installation of an electronic ' scoreboard at Lancaster Park. The present board is manually operated by school pupils and, unfortunately, some errors do occur in the early part of the season until the boys are fully conversant with its operation. Sandwiches, filled bread rolls and pies are all available from the shop under No. 1 Stand. Hot dogs are also available at the one-day games and the selling venue for these is situated on the back ground. I, therefore, cannot understand why your correspondent has made complaints of this nature.”]