Sixday tests may solve city’s cricket record
IN the 140 years test cricket has been played only seven test matches have been abandoned. Unfortunately, Manchester (1890 and 1938) and Dunedin (1989 and 1998) have the notorious record of hosting two abandoned tests each. Because of this, and the fact that Dunedin is the southernmost test cricket venue in the world, I think New Zealand Cricket should ask the International Cricket Council for permission to stage test matches in Dunedin over six days. The match could still have a 450 over limit, as it does now, but it would increase the chance of getting a result.
The Kakanui clay that forms the pitch at the University Oval tends to get slower as the match progresses, making a result difficult without a full five days of playing time. Players, spectators, television viewers and administrators all want to see a result. If Dunedin gets a reputation as a non result venue, due to the weather and pitch conditions, we may fall out of favour with New Zealand Cricket. It would be sad for the city to lose such great events when a bit of thinking outside the square could lead to a positive change. Randal Scott Caversham [This letter was referred to New Zealand Cricket for comment but it did not respond. ]
IN the sport section (ODT, 11.3.17), Adrian Seconi wrote, ‘‘many of the 3296 spectators did not bother returning’’ after the University Oval was evacuated at 5pm on Friday, March 10. If he had descended from the glorified heights of the media centre (on the opposite side of the ground to the grandstand), he would have learnt what was happening in the real world.
We were told to leave the tent for spectators with disabilities and were directed to leave the ground via the main gate. Hundreds of spectators leaving at that time heard that the embankment was to be evacuated, as well as the grandstand.
We passed the fire engine in Logan Park Dr, returned to our car, and left the location. We did not realise that returning to the ground was an option, and Seconi’s ‘‘did not bother returning’’ comment is insulting, particularly for those who were cricket enthusiasts even before he was born. Joyce Sansom, CA Dunedin [Adrian Seconi replies: ‘‘The comment was not meant to be insulting. It was simply an observation.’’]