cricket score india – Umpire’s finger raised on future of New Plymouth’s world renowned cricket ground
One of the world’s idyllic grounds is on its farewell tour with New Zealand Cricket on the cusp of black listing Pukekura Park.
The cricketing authority have sent a clear directive to the New Plymouth District Council about the “poor state of repair of existing facilities” at the park and the urgent need to address the issue. Online Cricket Betting
Despite being regarded as one of the six best grounds in the world by cricket almanack Wisden, and being praised by New Zealand Cricket for its “almost unmatched” support of the domestic game, the council has just one more year to bring facilities up to scratch.
If the council does not, then it will spell an end to cricket at a ground that has hosted some of the world’s best players and teams, including Australia, England and the West Indies.
In a submission to the council as part of ‘Our Pukekura Park, Guiding the next chapter’ discussion document, Central Districts Cricket boss Lance Hamilton provided a supporting letter from New Zealand Cricket head of operations Richard Brewer.
The submission followed a site visit by New Zealand Cricket officials in June and a proposal by the council to potentially build a new community pavilion.
However, the council has done no costings on the plan and if a decision were made to build the pavilion, it would not be included in any budgets until the adoption of the next long-term plan in the middle of 2024.
Council has been approached for comment.
Brewer made it clear there were a number of areas that needed addressing for the ground to host fixtures in the future.
They include extending the playing surface to meet minimum boundary sizes, changing facilities to cater for at least 16 people per team, dining areas to cater for up to four teams, match official changing rooms and work spaces, broadcast infrastructure and commentary positions as well as upgrading the outfield’s drainage.
Hamilton, who played for Central Districts before becoming its long-term manager and now chief executive, said in the association’s submission that nothing on the domestic circuit came close to Pukekura Park.
“I would hate for future generations of aspiring cricketers from around the country to miss out on such experiences in the future,” he said.
“It is experiences like these that put Taranaki firmly on the map and generates memories and discussions that transcend generations of cricketers along with their friends and families.”
However, Hamilton’s nostalgic view of the park was not shared by New Zealand’s professional players who ranked it the second-to-worst in the country.
“The expectations and concerns outlined by New Zealand Cricket are serious, and the risk of the Taranaki region losing domestic cricket if something is not done to bring the standard of the surrounding facilities up to the required standard is real,” Hamilton warned.
He urged the council “to firmly place Pukekura Park back on the pedestal it once deservedly owned” or it would lose cricket and the significant annual economic annual income, estimated at more than 500 bed nights, as well as the revenue generated by the Taranaki Cricket Association that went directly back into the community game.
Major Central Districts sponsor and Devon Hotel owner Peter Tennent said he would be bitterly disappointed if a solution could not be found to bring the park’s facilities up to standard, but he remained hopeful the council could work with all parties to find a solution.
“Our contract is very clear with Central Districts and Taranaki Cricket, who we also sponsor, that we must endeavour that top cricket is played here in the region,” he said.
“I think everyone is holding hands and trying to get the right answer and work together.”
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