Good test for resurfaced wicket

Dean van Deventer prepares to deliver for Wairarapa while Wanderers batsman Raki Weerasundara backs up. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

THE RESURFACED cricket wicket at Queen Elizabeth Park oval has came through its first serious test with flying colours.

A $60,000 grant from the Masterton District Council has allowed Wairarapa Cricket to aim for a block which would be right up to standards required for some first-class play and, judging by the favourable comments following a limited-overs game that was played there on Tuesday, everything has gone pretty much according to plan.

Members of a powerful Wellington Wanderers XI which beat a Wairarapa XI by 104 runs were quick to comment that the pitch was as good, if not better, than any of those used for club cricket in the capital and were of the view it would already be ideal for representative play.

Wanderers batted first and raced through to a healthy 293-7 from their 45 overs. The highlight was an unbeaten 109 scored at better than a run a ball by Wellington Firebird Fraser Colson.

He faced 84 deliveries and was quick to dispatch anything loose to the boundary as evidenced by his 11 4s and three 6s.

Also enjoying the batting conditions was New Zealand under-19 rep Raki Weerasundara who opened the innings and struck 75 off 89 balls, including five 4s and three 6s.

Three of the Wairarapa bowlers took two wickets apiece, Drew MacDonald finished with 2-47 off nine overs, Gordon Reisima 2 for 63 off seven overs and George Deans 2 for 55 off nine overs.

In what has become the norm for Wairarapa this season, skipper Henry Cameron dominated their batting effort. His 75 included five 6s and seven 4s and came from just 68 balls. There was aggression too from Dean van Deventer in the middle order.

His 30 came from 28 balls and he hit two 4s and two 6s. Eventually Wairarapa were all out for 189, 104 runs short of their target.