The Hagley Oval Turf Management team have carried off the major gong in New Zealand Cricket’s Pitch of the Year Awards.
The Christchurch-based team were judged responsible for preparing the International Pitch of the Year on the basis of players reports, match official reports and other feedback collated through the 2016-17 season.
NZC’s GM Grounds and Facilities, Ian McKendry said Hagley Oval consistently delivered high quality surfaces for tests against Pakistan and Bangladesh, and for the ODIs against Bangladesh and South Africa.
Hagley Oval ground staff hard at work. Image: photosport
“It’s been a challenging year for cricket turf managers across New Zealand with significant rainfall and weather bomb events throughout the summer”, said Mr McKendry.
“Despite the challenges contending with weather systems, the quality of the surfaces provided for domestic and international cricket, generally, was of a very high standard.”
The Domestic Pitch of the Year award was won by the Eden Park Turf Management team.
Mr McKendry said Eden Park was rated by players and umpires as a “very good” for every fixture played at the Outer Oval, and also received high praise for its training facilities.
An Eden Park groundsman working on an Outer Oval pitch. Image: photosport
He made special mention of the Basin Reserve, Seddon Park, and University of Otago Oval turf management teams for the excellent Test match surfaces prepared for the BLACKCAPS during the series against South Africa.
“NZC would like to congratulate and thank all turf management teams across New Zealand for the outstanding contribution to our summer game,” said Mr McKendry.
“We look forward to another big summer 2017-18”.
