Sticky wicket! (17 March 1999)

17 March 1999

Sticky wicket!

The Christchurch Press

Groundsman Chris Lewis has been spraying water on the Jade Stadium cricket test strip he had been at enormous pains to keep dry for the previous fortnight.

Lewis is now in a race against time to get the cricket block into a satisfactory playing condition ahead of the Super 12 rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes on Friday night.

"There is not a lot we can do in such a short time," he said yesterday while keeping a watchful eye on the erection of the goal-posts.

"We will soften up the wicket a bit and it should not be a problem for the rugby."

Outside the cricket block, the ground was in outstanding condition for rugby after the recent rain, he said.

Converting the ground from a cricket venue to a rugby venue in four days was a challenge, and it would be unrealistic to expect too much, he said. "It takes time for grass to grow and get established."

Lewis and his team have been toiling on the ground since stumps were pulled on Monday at the end of the rain-spoiled drawn test between South Africa and New Zealand.

A green tinge is already showing on the test wicket, and Lewis expects the entire cricket block to be fully grassed and in top rugby shape in time for the Crusaders' fourth home game.

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