The Hindu : LOIs at Hamilton

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

LOIs at Hamilton

By Mohandas Menon

The Westpac Trust Bank Park, formerly known as the Seddon Park, has been the home ground for the Northern Districts since 1956-57. Over 130 first class matches have been played here, including 11 Tests since February 1991.

Limited-over Internationals (LOIs) were played here even before the venue hosted a Test. India played the first ever LOI at this ground — on 15-2-1981 — and lost to the home team by 57 runs. Since then, in all 11 matches have been played here with New Zealand playing eight and winning seven. The only match the home team lost, that too narrowly (by 3 runs as per D/L method), was to Sri Lanka on 8-2-2001 — the last LOI played here.

Other than the loss to the home team in 1981, India has played Australia (in 1990, lost by 7 wickets), Zimbabwe (in 1992, won by 55 runs) and South Africa (in 1995, lost by 14 runs).

New Zealand's 280-6 against Sri Lanka on 29-3-1995 is the highest team total, while Pakistan's 138-9 in 50 overs against the home team on 14-3-1989 is the lowest at this ground.

Former Kiwi paceman Danny Morrison (4-33 in 10 overs) has the best bowling figures at this ground, followed by Anil Kumble (4-40 in 10 overs) against South Africa on 18-2-1995.

India's final match of the series will be the first to be played under floodlights at this ground. This will be the seventh venue in New Zealand to host LOIs under lights. India is the only country, other than New Zealand to have more floodlit LOI venues.

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