Pitch in hand as big games near
THREE games in four days and international games at that.
The University of Otago Oval will play host to firstly the twenty20 match between Australia and the Black Caps on February 25. The next day the same ground will host the White Ferns side when it takes on England in a oneday international.
Then one day off and on February 28 the White Ferns will take on the English again, in another oneday international.
Exciting times for cricket fans and also some pressure on the man preparing the ground.
But University of Otago Oval groundsman Jayden Tohill is calm and more than a wee bit excited about the heavy week coming up.
All three games will be played on the same wicket, in the middle of the eight wicket blocks at the Oval.
Tohill said it was relatively common these days due to the hectic nature of international cricket tours to have games played one after another.
‘‘It is easy enough to plan for. All of the games will be played on the same wicket. It is a bit hard to say how things will go still being a fair way out, but we have it all in hand,’’ he said.
‘‘It is no different from what we have to do every summer with the games we have here. What you want from any wicket is something that is true and lets goodquality players play their games, gives them the platform to display their skills.
‘‘The feedback we have got from wickets we have prepared so far this summer has been pretty positive. We are looking forward to carrying that on.’’
The entire ground had work done on it over winter, the drainage and playing surface receiving a $130,000 upgrade during the offseason. Rugby is set to return to the ground this winter.
The renovated grass has come up well and the unpredictable southern summer has at least left a lush green outfield.
Tohill said it was always exciting to hold international games and the work done over winter had resulted in a picturesque ground.
The net wickets were also being prepared and would be ready when the sides arrived in just under two weeks, he said.
The match between the Black Caps and the Australians has sold out while tickets are still on sale for the two one day international between the White Ferns and the English team.