Volts to host Firebirds in cricket final

WELLINGTON it is.

The Otago Volts will host the Wellington Firebirds in Saturday’s Ford Trophy domestic oneday cricket final at the University of Otago Oval.

Wellington, which had set the pace for much of the competition before being pipped by Otago for top qualifier status, beat Auckland by three wickets in yesterday’s elimination final at Eden Park Outer Oval.

Leading the way was a former Otago man, Jimmy Nee sham, who stroked an unbeaten 120 and will relish the opportunity to return to his former home ground.

SPORTS fans in Dunedin are being warned to plan ahead if they are heading to Logan Park this weekend.

Two big sports events are coinciding in the area — Saturday’s Ford Trophy cricket final at the University of Otago Oval and the New Zealand secondary schools track, field and road race championships, at the nearby Caledonian Ground, which run from tomorrow until Sunday.

A crowd of up to 2000 fans is expected to watch the cricket, while 1300 competitors have signed up for the athletics competition.

Logan Park Dr will be closed over the weekend, from 9am on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday, and angle parking along it used only by teams, media and New Zealand Cricket staff and guests.

Otago Cricket Association operations manager Tim O’Sullivan said parking would be ‘‘limited’’ close to the ground, and there would be no room for passenger dropoffs at the ground’s main gate.

Anybody requiring mobility access should contact Otago Cricket, he added.

Dunedin City Council parks and recreation group manager Robert West said overflow parking could be made available on the Logan Park sports fields, next to Harbour Tce, but that would depend on ground conditions after recent heavy rain.

A final decision would be made tomorrow, he said.

‘‘Although extra parking will be provided around Logan Park, parking in the area will be very limited,’’ he said.

Free parking was available at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on the eastern side, and pay and display parking at the stadium’s Anzac Ave car park, a Dunedin Venues spokeswoman said.