Bradman's brief innings a highlight of Centenary Oval's turf cricket pitch, now its future is in doubt
/ By Henry MilicA historical South Australian cricket pitch that Sir Donald Bradman played on is at risk of being lost, jeopardising junior player development and casting doubt on the future of international events.
Key points:
- Port Lincoln Cricket Association says local players will be at a disadvantage without experience on a turf pitch
- If a curator is not found by September the pitch may have to be concreted
- The council says it supports the association's efforts but it does not have the resources to contribute more
Curator Andrew Frick is leaving the role after eight years of caring for the turf pitch at Centenary Oval, which was laid in 1938 — two years after the ground was established — with 50 tonnes of volcanic soil from Athelstone.
It was the only turf pitch on the Eyre Peninsula at the time and today the region only has one other, at Wudinna.
The upgrade was carried out ahead of Port Lincoln's first international match, between the state side and South Africa.
The Don played on the pitch on October 12, 1939, and was clean bowled for one run early in his innings by local player Tom Mahoney.
Six international teams have played at the oval, including England in 1963.
Now the pitch may not be suitable for world-class matches and touring teams if it is converted to concrete.
Port Lincoln Cricket Association president Peter Tokarski said the association needed to fill the curator role before September.
He said the role involved watering, marking out the pitch, cutting the grass, and rolling and repairing the wicket.
"We will remunerate the curator, but we would like someone who has a love for greens," Mr Tokarski said.
Mr Frick said he was willing to pass on knowledge to his successor and that the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) had offered to help train the new employee.
"The association is willing to fly someone to Adelaide and spend a day at Karen Rolton Oval with their curators," he said.
"SACA are on board with that idea and are insisting on getting knowledge into someone."
Mr Frick was concerned about the future of cricket in the area if a curator was not found soon.
"It's sort of the nail in the coffin of where cricket is going and where local sport is, in a sense, with the declining of numbers," he said.
The role requires about 10-15 hours a week to maintain the pitch during the cricket season.
Mr Tokarski said the development of cricket on Eyre Peninsula would be impacted if the turf pitch was lost and that players would be at a disadvantage against cricketers in the city.
"When our teams go to Adelaide our country kids are at a real disadvantage not having played on turf," he said.
"It is a totally different connotation to the whole game and we really need to develop those skills."
Mr Tokarski said he would love the council to help, but he recognised only a small number of Port Lincoln residents played the sport.
Port Lincoln Council chief executive Matthew Morgan said resources were in short supply but was very supportive of the association.
"Clubs and associations quite often turn to council for support and as we know council is already suffering its own resource shortages," he said.
"When it comes to turf maintenance council already provides services to Centenary Oval and a number of other facilities in Port Lincoln."
The council will continue to discuss the matter with the association as it searches for a curator.