CORNWALL PARK WICKET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 101, 9 April 1936, Page 5

CORNWALL PARK WICKET

Play Impossible Next Season SUB-ASSOCIATION’S EFFORTS Frequent reference to the re-laying of the playing-area at Cornwall Park, particularly as regards its use as a cricket field, was made at the annual smoke-concert of ths Hastings Cricket Sub-Association last evening. Hopes that the area could be used next season were dashed by the announcement of Mr, L. J. Fisher, chairman of the management committee, that it would be impossible to play there next season. "Cornwall Park will not be available for play next season,’’ said Mr. Fisher, "for it would not be at all advisable for the newly-sown grass to be trampled upon and knocked about as would be the case if play were allowed next spring and summer." Mr. Fisher assured his hearers that the management committee would not bo going into recess during the offseason but would give close attention to the laying-out of the playing-area. “It is our fixed intention to keep in touch with the Borough Council and make every endeavour to see that the interests of cricket are kept prominently before those responsible for the laying-down of the area," he said. “The committee also is going deeply into the question of providing decent practice wickets at Nelson I’ark, and we are in hopes that next season players will have eiery reason to be satisfied in this respect." As regards the wickets provided at Nelson Park this season, Mr. Fisher said that he disagreed with the criticism that the wickets were bad. "Usually such criticism comes from the fellow who doesn’t make a big score,” he said. "The real cause of the failure of the batsman is not the state of the wicket but poor cricket. “It should be remembered that cricket commences just three weeks after Rugby football has concluded, and it is impossible to prepare firstclass wickets under such circumstances," he added. “I will admit that the wickets are not ‘town-hall’ wickets. Neither is one of those at Napier for that matter. We must expect to have to put up with slightly inferior wickets, but they are not bad wickets by any means." Mr. H. Brenton-Rule expressed pleasure that the committee intended to keep in close touch with the Borough Council. "It is essential," he said, "that nothing should be left undone to secure the best possible for the cricketers." "We have found Mr. McKenzie, the superintendent of reserves, most helpful, and I can assure you that we ci< look forward with every confidence to the time when Cornwall Park will be a wonderful cricketing field, with the right grass and the right soil," said Mr. N. Fippard, secretary of the Hastings sub-association.