Keen cricket fans rewarded

The support Taranaki cricket fans showed towards last year's domestic Twenty20 cricket competition has been rewarded, with New Plymouth's Pukekura Park allocated three games in late December.

Central Districts will host Otago on December 22, Northern Districts the following day, and Auckland on December 29, a re-match of last year's HRV Cup final, which was also played at Pukekura Park.

The first two games will also be televised.

Taranaki Cricket Association chairman Neil Sulzberger said he was delighted with the season's schedule.

"To get three Twenty20 games in that time period, we couldn't have asked for more," he said.

Close to 4500 spectators turned up for last year's final to see Central smash Auckland by 78 runs to earn a spot in the lucrative Champions League.

The final was given to New Plymouth after thousands of fans turned up to watch two round robin matches against Wellington and Otago in January.

Sulzberger expected this season's games would attract the same level of support.

"We think it will be a great opportunity for businesses to take staff along for a Christmas celebration," he said.

The two games before Christmas will start at 5pm, while the final match is scheduled to start at 2pm.

Fans of the one-day, 50-over game will also have the opportunity to watch two matches at Pukekura Park, with Central hosting Auckland on January 27 and Canterbury on January 30.

While the province has been well rewarded with limited overs cricket, Pukekura Park has been snubbed by New Zealand Cricket when it comes to the Plunket Shield four-day competition.

All of Central's Plunket Shield home matches will be played at Napier's Nelson Park and McLean Park.

Sulzberger was not disappointed by the decision, saying Central had been heading in the direction of having McLean Park as their main ground for four-day cricket for some time.

Taranaki is also due to play several games at Pukekura Park while the Plunket Shield is on, limiting the time the ground is available.

- © Fairfax NZ News