Cricket: rains should hold up to deluge: Dykes

Work done on drainage at the University Oval should hold the venue in good stead if the heavens open up at any stage during the first test against Pakistan later this month, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes says.

The ground's drainage system was criticised when heavy rains left the surface sodden during the first test between New Zealand and the West Indies in December last year.

The venue, which is located on reclaimed land, did not cope with the deluge and the match ended in a draw after more than two days were lost.

Former Herald on Sunday columnist Dylan Cleaver said the ground was "hopelessly ill-prepared" and there should be investment in a decent drainage system.

However, Dykes said a lot of work has been done in the last two months to improve the drainage.

"The existing drainage has been checked and cleared out," Dykes said.

"They've [the Dunedin City Council] put a camera down the drains to make sure they are functioning.

"They've re-directed some drains and after the last heavy rain we had, which was about a fortnight ago, there was no pooling of water at all. So one would have to think that they've done a pretty good job."

The other big question hanging over the University Oval has been the quality of the pitch.

It was labelled the worst first-class pitch in the country by the players at the end of last season.

Otago's opening Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts was over in three days earlier this week after the home side was dismissed for 88 in its first innings.

But a lot of those dismissals could be put down to poor batting skills or good bowling and Dykes said the pitch had played well during the two previous tests and he believed it would play well again.

However, he did express some concerns about the timing of the test.

The weather in New Zealand could be variable in November and he wondered whether it was too early to stage a test anywhere in the country.

It was not ideal having a test start on a Tuesday and finish on a Saturday either, he added.

"But I'd be disappointed if we didn't get 2000 a day for the first few days and again on Friday and Saturday if the game is still alive.

Despite a few reservations, Dykes was looking forward to what promises to be an entertaining match.

"I just love the way that Pakistanis play cricket. They play at 100 miles per hour, bowl as fast as they can and like to hit it."

 

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