Change of venue for cup game
More rain and late renovations on the block has meant Fitzherbert Park will have a later start than usual this cricket season.
Manawatu¯ have their first home game of the season this weekend against Horowhenua Ka¯ piti and it will instead be played at Manawaroa Park.
The wetter-than-usual weather during winter and spring meant the renovations to the cricket block happened later than usual, so the wicket is still a couple of weeks away from being ready.
So Manawatu¯ will play their home Furlong Cup games at Manawaora Park. Fitzherbert Park won’t be ready for the game against Wanganui in two weeks and then the home game against Taranaki in January clashes with Central Hinds matches, which will be at Fitzherbert.
Manawatu¯ hosted homes games at Manawaroa Park during the 2012-13 season while work was being done to restore Fitzherbert Park to first-class status.
Manawaroa Park is expected to be in good condition.
If Manawatu win the Furlong Cup, earn a Hawke Cup challenge and then win the cup, then any defence will be at Fitzherbert Park.
It will still be a busy season at Fitzherbert Park, with the national secondary schools girls finals on December 1-3 and the boys tournament starting on December 4. The Central Hinds play a one-day game and two twenty20s against Auckland on January 13 and 14.
The Central Districts men have a one-day game against Canterbury on January 31. There is also the CD one-day club championships on Waitangi weekend.