Cricket: Portable pitch a movable feast

By Richard Boock and NZPA

Criticism of Lancaster Park's portable pitch was temporarily suspended yesterday after Central Districts cantered though to their second-highest total in first-class cricket on the experimental block.

On a pitch which received some early flak over its appearance on Monday, Central posted 549 for eight in the first innings of their Shell Trophy match against Canterbury, with Mark Douglas and Jacob Oram both making centuries.

It was Central's second-highest total in first-class cricket, trailing their 594 for eight declared against Auckland in 1995-96, and only the third occasion on which the side has exceeded 500.

The prototype pitch in Christchurch is hoped to provide a future solution for New Zealand's heavily-booked multi-use sports grounds, including Auckland's Eden Park and Dunedin's Carisbrook.

Similar concepts are being explored in Australia, here portable pitches are being developed at the North Sydney Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and in South Africa.

Prepared in a tray off-site, the pitches weigh about 30 tonnes and are hoisted into position by crane. Benefits of cultivating the surface outside the ground include the ability to prepare one-day wickets, test wickets, or a softer strip of turf for rugby.

Time constraints meant the pitch prepared for the Shell Trophy match at Lancaster Park this week was not fully matured, with the grass too young to withstand a heavy roller, and the topsoil lacking full compaction as well.

Consequently, the pitch lacked pace and bounce and provided little assistance for the Canterbury bowling attack.

Oram confirmed his arrival on the national cricket scene with a sparkling innings of 155 yesterday - his maiden first-class century - as he and Douglas put Canterbury's second-string attack to the sword.

Tall, left-handed and blessed with exquisite timing, the 20-year-old made the portable pitch his personal stage. He was almost cruel in his treatment of Barton, demonstrated good control against left-armer Mark Priest, and made the seamers suffer for waywardness of line and length.

The match was not only the first first-class match to be played on a portable pitch in New Zealand, but - after the light became murky yesterday afternoon - it also became the first to continue under floodlights.