NYE cricket returns to Pukekura Park
Taranaki cricket fans will be able to enjoy domestic Twenty20 (T20) action before their New Year’s celebrations this summer.
Central District’s men’s and women’s teams will play double headers at Pukekura Park during the Dream11 Super Smash on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31.
The dates have been a tradition for local cricket fans for the past few domestic seasons, which sees thousands flock to the ground.
They will host Canterbury and Northern Districts respectively, which will be the first lot of home matches during the near two-month competition.
Central Districts will return to Pukekura Park for their final match during the regular season against Auckland on January 5.
Taranaki Cricket general manager Ryan Evans is thrilled top-flight cricket is coming back to Pukekura Park during the holiday season.
‘‘I’m especially looking forward to the New Year’s Eve match up with Northern Districts,’’ he said.
Evans knows Taranaki people love to flock to the terraces to cheer on both Central Districts’ teams. ‘‘I hope people will head out in force to prove again why Pukekura Park remains such an important host ground for our favourite summer sport.’’
Traditionally, Pukekura Park is reserved for the final, should Central Districts qualify. If not, January’s matches could be the venue’s last T20 domestic fixtures if New Zealand Cricket’s concerns about Pukekura Park’s facilities aren’t met.
With Central Districts’ region including Taranaki, Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson, other home matches will be played at Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park on Tuesday, December 27 and Nelson’s Saxton Oval on Saturday, January 21.
Mclean Park in Napier has missed out on Central District’s T20 action this summer likely because of poor crowds.
The competition starts on Friday, December 23 when Northern host Canterbury in Tauranga.
The second ranked women’s team will host elimination finals on Thursday, February 9, with the men’s top qualifier to host the finals two days later.
All matches are live on Spark Sport and either TVNZ 1 or TVNZ Duke.
CENTRAL DISTRICTS PUKEKURA PARK T20 FIXTURES
■ Friday, December 30: CD vs Canterbury Magicians and Kings, 11am and 2.40pm
■ Saturday, December 31: CD vs Northern Brave, 10am and 1.40pm
■ Thursday, January 5: CD v Auckland Hearts and Aces, 11am and 2.40pm