New Zealand vs England in a park

The Trumpet is of the opinion that the best places to watch cricket are its citadels (Lord's, Eden Gardens, Newlands, the MCG) or its quaint outgrounds (Southport, with the trains chugging past at midwicket, Colwyn Bay, Horsham).

New Zealand is possibly unique in playing international cricket at quaint "outgrounds". One such is Seddon Park, venue for the First Test vs England. Named after New Zealand's nineteenth century Prime Minister, Richard Seddon (who, incredibly, rejoiced in the Animalhousean nickname "King Dick"), the ground is indeed a park, with picnickers likely to stroll behind the bowler's arm pursuing an errant hard boiled egg.

Park it may be, but it is a cricket ground and not a rugby ground, so we can expect a bit of life in the pitch and gully in the usual spot, not leaning on the boundary board. If England have anyone fit to bowl, we should be in for a treat.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty}