New Zealand: Clubs struggle to field teams (2 November 1998)

2 November 1998

New Zealand: Clubs struggle to field teams

The Christchurch Press

Some cricket clubs in Christchurch continue to struggle with player depth.

The Burnside West-University second-grade side defaulted for the second game in succession when unable to muster a team on Saturday. It followed an earlier default on Labour Day.

An Old Collegians third-grade side was forced to default to St Albans after the start of a two-day match when its bare minimum eight players were reduced to six.

The problems highlight concerns about the viability of some clubs and player numbers.

Burnside-West president Ray Burgess said it was unfortunate the side had to again default, but there was little option.

"We had a number of players out with university exams and our third-grade guys were not really up to playing second grade."

Canterbury Cricket club operations spokesman Blair Hartland said the CCA would keep monitoring the situation closely.

"Obviously, this sort of thing is not ideal and we are keeping in close contact with the clubs."

Burgess said Burnside West-University was keen to talk to any other club about a merger to help strengthen it.

"But we don't want to leave Burnside Park because we have good grounds and clubrooms. We're prepared to talk to anyone."

Burnside-West, which has one of the strongest junior club bases in New Zealand, is only able to retain a fraction of those players through to the CCA grades, fielding just six teams this season, the same as Old Collegians.

Burgess said some players were also lost to Christchurch suburban clubs who could offer cheaper subscriptions.

"There's a whole range of reasons why things aren't going too well and I understand one or two other clubs are struggling as well."

Meanwhile, the CCA was forced to shift a senior match between Old Collegians and Lancaster Park-Woolston off Elmwood Park at late notice because the wicket was unplayable.

Problems with what is believed to be a burst drain caused water to well at one end of the wicket, so the match was transferred to Garrick Park.

The shift was the latest in a lengthy saga of pitch problems with the No. 1 block at Elmwood Park, which has only infrequently hosted first-grade games in recent seasons after restoration work was undertaken.

The match was scheduled to be the first played on the main wicket this season, but it is uncertain now when it will be back in use. Christchurch City Council staff are examining the cause.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)