No divine right for Chch to have a cricket test

Press, 18 April 1979, Page 14

No divine right for Chch to have a cricket test

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

There are good reasons why Christchurch should have been allotted one of the four cricket tests to he played in New Zealand next summer: but it would be quite unrealistic to suggest that some major injustice has been done to Canterbury cricket by the omission of Christchurch from the test venues. Christchurch cricketers, and the Canterbury Cricket Association in particular, would dearly love to see Lancaster Park retained in the list, but it can not be denied that Canterbury has been well treated so far in the allocation of test matches. Since New Zealand entered test cricket in the 1929-30 season. 64 official tests have been played in this country. Christchurch has had 20 of them, Auckland 22, Wellington 15, Dunedin six and Napier one. Dunedin’s last test match was during the 1972-73 Pakistan tour, so if it has one next season, it will be after an interval of seven years. Of the 19 unofficial tests in this period, Christchurch has had six, the other main centres four each, New Plymouth one. It can not be disputed that the regularity of tests and major matches in Christchurch was earned. Public support over the years has been good, but

it is declining. When Pakistan played New Zealand this year, the attendance was very disappointing, and it was suggested then Christchurch was in danger of losing its test match next summer. The Lancaster Park gate was no better than that at Napier, a very much smaller city, although at Napier, not a cent was taken on the best day, the Sunday, because of rain. It could be argued that Napier’s comparative success was one based on novelty — it was the first test played in Hawkes Bay. It is also reasonable

to assume that even if Christchurch gates have diminished, they would still be better than those at Dunedin — and international tours these days, are so costly that it is desirable to get the best possible gates. Indeed, quite regularly in recent times the books have been balanced only by the good fortune enjoyed in having fine week-end weather for the Auckland tests, where the crowds have remained large. A wet Saturday or Sunday at Auckland could spell disaster. If Christchurch has a good case, on financial grounds, it is not so easy to support the claim that

it would be almost impossible to have a test pitch ready here should Wellington or Dunedin not be ready. There has been much trouble with the wicket block at Carisbrook, with matches last summer having to be transferred from that famous old ground. The Wellington block is being relaid, the ground altered, enlarged, improved. But the preparation of the Lancaster Park block begins as early in the season as is practicable and there seems no valid reason why one of the pitches in the firstclass block should not be

set aside for a possible test match. A test pitch can not be started earlier than the others and it becomes merely a matter of housekeeping. No doubt the New Zealand Cricket Council’s board of control would in many ways have preferred to keep Christchurch on the list, but notwithstanding its anxieties about money, it has to nurture cricket in other centres. Otago cricket has had. something of a struggle in recent years and its interests have to be remembered.

Instead of complaining to the board, as has been proposed, the Canterbury

association should continue doing everything it can to rectify the situation which led, in part, to the sad lack of support for the 1979 test. Not many years ago, Christchurch gates exceeded those at Auckland; now they are about half. This last season was not one of success for Canterbury cricket, asd this was reflected in Shell Series gates, which were a pointer, perhaps, to the disappointing lack of support for the test. The crowds seem to come to Lancaster Park only when Canterbury is prospering, or if there is the appeal of outstanding cricket personalities. Canterbury at present is going through a rebuilding period, and the personalities are lacking. The Canterbury association is strong, well-or-ganised, enthusiastic. It will develop new, good players, and good days are probably around the corner. So if a test is lost for a year there need be "0 raising of a general alarm, even if the sentimentalist will have particular cause for regret. Those who went to Melbourne in 1977 shared in a marvellous occasion, even if the Packer problem was about to arise: this was .the centennial test between England and Australia. A test at Lancaster Park next summer, particularly the one scheduled with England, would have been delightful, for it was on January 10, 1930, at Lancaster Park, that New Zealand met England for the first time. Fifty years on. . . But the decision has been made. And Christchurch can not demand a test, as if by some sort of divine right.