No guarantee cricket will return to Molyneux

Ian McKendry
Ian McKendry
New Zealand Cricket has played a straight bat on whether Molyneux Park will host domestic cricket next summer.

Ground staff at the Alexandra venue have been a casualty of the Central Otago District Council's decision not to renew its open spaces contract with Asplundh beyond June 30.

The council last week announced Delta Utility Services Ltd would be taking over on a five-year contract worth $8.5 million. Asplundh has held the contract for 10 years.

NZC head of turf management Ian McKendry said Molyneux Park would have an annual audit completed of turf and facilities before next season to ensure ''compliance with New Zealand Cricket prior to the scheduling of fixtures''.

The performance of the 45-year-old cricket block at Molyneux Park was criticised by players and match officials following a Super Smash match in late December.

Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey confirmed the performance of the pitch had nothing to do with council's decision to not renew Asplundh's contract.

''Council undertook a two-stage process for the [open spaces maintenance] contract. Stage one based on expressions of interest and stage two being request for service. Asplundh did not progress to stage two. This decision was made late November.''

Plans to dig out Molyneux Park's cricket block are scheduled for early 2020.

McKendry said they had worked closely with the council on the planned overhaul.

''We work with and support all venues across New Zealand and their turf management teams to deliver the best possible surfaces across all formats of cricket.''

This included an annual gathering of turf managers from all first-class venues to review the season and exchange pitch preparation concepts, ideas and innovations.

 

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