Northern Districts batsman Anton Devcich is bowled during a Super Smash match at Molyneux Park on December 30 last year. Photo: Stephen JaquieryThe performance of the cricket pitch at Alexandra's Molyneux Park has been blasted by players and match officials in the aftermath of domestic cricket played at the ground this season. In a umpire venue assessment report provided to the Central Otago District Council by New Zealand Cricket following the Otago Volts Northern Knights T20 clash on December 30, both captains described the pitch as a ''joke'' and ''rated it one out of 10''. Earlier, the pitch was rated as ''below average'' following the December 6-10 Plunket Shield match-up between the Volts and Central StagsPitch reports for both matches along with a Molyneux Park wicket report from contractor Asplundh, which manages the ground, will be presented to council today. A report by council parks and recreations manager Gordon Bailey says ''discussions with New Zealand Cricket indicated Molyneux Park was not going to lose its first class cricket match status, particularly with the long-awaited upgrade scheduled''.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 26, 2019 16:07 UTC