A cricketing greenhouse is under construction at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval precinct which will ripen New Zealand cricket teams for future assignments. New Zealand Cricket has funded the project as they move towards developing a North Island base for the country's top players, especially with incumbent Black Caps Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner and BJ Watling in close proximity. We've had a marquee arrangement at Lincoln [in Canterbury] for seven years, but the air circulation and direct sunlight for photosynthesis [at Bay Oval] will allow us to prepare anything we require. Photo / SuppliedBay Oval Trust general manager Kelvin Jones says the Bay of Plenty climate provides a useful starting point. New Zealand Cricket are showing their faith in us, effectively as a North Island training base - it's not going away in a hurry."

Source: New Zealand Herald November 28, 2020 02:03 UTC