Local Cricket Once Again Suffers

25/9/07 - Griffith Park: The A1s turned up at Griffith Park on day one of their season opener with Harbord BC to find the artificial grass surface torn to shreds. If vandalism isn't bad enough to swallow, it was soon realised that the damage to the pitch surface was undoubtedly caused by workmen uncovering it from the winter sports. Evidence points to the two large square flaps ripped into the northern end, and the gash near the middle being caused by a Bobcat. No notice was given to the Association and teams involved to enable a change in venue. Luckily, after testing for safety and irregular bounce, the decision was made to play however the venue for the top grade clash was severely compromised, and the $5000 pitch all but destroyed.

There are many obvious questions to ask but firstly where was the quality inspection by Council staff to ensure grounds were safe and satisfactory to be handed over to our summer sport? Also, how could the workmen, whether they be staff or Council contractors walk away and leave the ground in this condition satisfied with their work? There have been reports of other unsatisfactory venues including the sprinklers coming on at Kierle Park (Manly Council) during the first hour of the match! The reply from Council at the time, "Wait an hour and they will go off'! They did, and the sprinklers came back on another hour later.

This is unacceptable. Recently the Manly Daily have run articles and letters ranging from a netball supporter complaining that something has to be done about the current state of the John Fisher courts (yes the very ones about to be replaced by a Bazillion Dollar new development) and a hockey official mortgaging their house to pay for a proper surface for his sport! Good luck to the bloke mortgaging his house, but cricketers should not put up with this ridiculous situation any more. Our facilities are the worst of all major sports on the Peninsula. Outfields present an illusion of green grass as they are only a hazardous collection of Winter grass tufts and other weeds. The pitches are ingrained with dirt which ruin $35 cricket balls within an hour and the bowlers run ups are sand pits. If there is any doubt, we have lots of photos to prove it!