Covers off Bay Cricket facility

Craig Findlay (left) and patron Jack Dale

New Zealand cricket selector Mark Greatbatch agrees it's been a long time coming but the indoor-cricket training facility in Napier is up and running.

The sound of leather on willow resonating through the premises is music to the ears of aficionados.

Even a band came to the party, it was disclosed at the official opening on Wednesday night of the $300,000 facility at the Napier Technical Old Boys' Club rooms at Whitmore Park.

"If it hadn't been for the Napier Tech (Brass) band moving their practice rooms this wouldn't be possible," club chairman Les Kennedy told the gathering which included Central Districts Stags team members playing in the four-day Plunket Shield first-class match at nearby Nelson Park.

Mr Greatbatch, a former New Zealand representative, said a cricketer training at the facility, which has been running since last month, would hopefully represent New Zealand at senior level in the next 10 to 15 years.

Project managers Alexander Constructions, of Napier, gutted the complex before Auckland-based Tiger Turf laid down carpet, costing $30,000, to prepare a floor kinder to players' joints.

Tech stalwart Craig Findlay said: "The run-up to the (40m) lane has a rubber underlay that acts as a shock absorber.

"Lots of people say it doesn't hurt as much as outdoor ones and the body doesn't jar."

Another $30,000 was paid to Kaipara Harbour commercial fisherman Alan Wilson to put up nets.

"That's the 15th net Alan's done for indoor facilities in the country," said Mr Findlay of the facility, which was developed after Mr Greatbatch first mooted the idea in the 1990s.

The adjacent 30m lane has a bowling machine, and Switched-on Electrical installed $15,000 worth of lighting.

 Alexanders Construction managing director Mark Hamilton, who also owns the complex and is president of the rugby club, leases the facility to the cricket club.

Mr Findlay said the debt-free facility was available to anyone at a cost of $40 an hour.

"They can look it up on the Tech website (www.napiertechcricket.co.nz) or call me," he said, offering discounts over winters or to clubs who were committed to using the facility once a week over two hours.

The CD, Auckland Aces first-class men's teams and numerous Bay representative and club teams have already practised there.

"Five years of dreaming has become a reality and the Hawke's Bay cricketers will be enhanced, for sure, and hopefully a Black Cap or White Fern will graduate from here in the near future," Mr Findlay said.

He thanked the New Zealand Community Trust, CD Cricket Trust, Infinity Foundation, Endeavour Community Trust, Eastern and Central Community Trust and the New Zealand Cricket Foundation for their funding.

Hawkes Bay Today article