Cricket: Pitch should suit Knights

Northland Cricket Association general manager Warren Marr oversees the finishing touches on the Cobham Oval pitch for the Northern Knights' Georgie Pie Super Smash T20 against the Canterbury Kings. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland Cricket Association officials are expecting Cobham Oval's wicket to help the Northern Knights make amends for their first round Georgie Pie Super Smash T20 loss to the Canterbury Kings.

Inspecting the pitch yesterday, NCA general manager Warren Marr gave the preparations two thumbs up, adding that if the weather plays its part the deck should hold up nicely for a high-scoring encounter.

"We always hope it's going to be a typical Cobham Oval wicket ... loads of runs. It's looking like it's going to be that way," he said.

"[Northland] played a game there versus Auckland and there was over 500 runs scored, so it should be a good deck."

With the groundsmen putting the finishing touches on the pitch recently, the recent bouts of sunshine had also helped get it in shape.

"Basically the main preparation's done, there's not a lot more they can do other than roll it and mark it up. Then we're just going to try and brown it off a little bit so there's not too much seam movement in the wicket," Marr added.

"T20's about the batsmen not the bowlers, and the key thing for the wicket is the pace and that it doesn't go sideways too much.

"A bit more sun and a bit more brushing and rolling out there should bring it up nicely."

As part of the Knights' player obligations, they will be out and about this weekend helping pave the way for the next batch of young cricketers.

"The Knights are up here Friday and they'll be helping us out here with our new competition with all the young kids, and they'll be along at Kensington Park on Saturday morning as well for the C Grade," Marr said.

"That'll be big, There's 25-26 teams down there."

Although pre-sales had been slow, Marr expected a big turnout on game day.

"That's what happened down at Northern Districts and they got quite a few into the ground."

The Northern Knights are set for a busy few days in the Georgie Pie Super Smash series, having also played a match last night against the Wellington Firebirds at Seddon Park.

Sunday's trip North will be the first time they've played a GPSS T20 match in Northland.

-Tickets are available at http:// www.eventopia.co/event/Northern-Knights-v-Canterbury-Kings/307067, or at the gate on Sunday. The game starts at 2pm.