Simon Dodds mowing the Town Square wicket. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge’s cricket season could be delayed – but not because the Town Square pitch won’t be ready.
Club stalwart Simon Dodds, speaking to The News on Sunday as he mowed the lush wicket, said cricket is unlikely to start before winter codes finish their competitions.
Final rounds of football and rugby have yet to be completed because of the Covid 19 lockdown last month.
Dodds said the wicket with its four strips was looking green and lush. He was able to get to the grass when lockdown four was lifted.
“There sure was plenty to mow,” he said.
The first cricket match was played on what is arguably one of New Zealand’s most picturesque grounds in 1876.
A team of soldiers from South Auckland travelled by steamboat up the Waikato River to play against their counterparts in the Waikato Battalion.
Over the years many of the country’s top cricketers including Martin Crowe and Craig McMillan have played on the ground.
One club player who has gone on to play for Northern Districts and be on the fringe of Black Caps selection is fast bowler Matthew Fisher, 21. He was in the New Zealand squad for the 2018 Under 19 Cricket World Cup.
“We’ve seen some pretty good players here over the years,” said Dodds.
He hoped the success of the world champion Black Caps would encourage youngsters to take up cricket. And where better, he asked, than in their hometown on such a top wicket?
