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Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today inspected the TIO Stadium with two of Australia’s leading wicket consultants in the lead-up to the one day series in Darwin later this year.

The Australian cricket team will head to Darwin for a one day series on August 31, September 3 and September 6 thanks to a $2.1 million funding commitment from the Northern Territory Government.

From this money $100 000 will be spent upgrading the practice wickets to international standard at TIO Stadium. The remainder of the money, along with Cricket Australia‘s  $1 million injection will go to grass roots cricket infrastructure.

"We’ve seen Marrara Stadium get a great work-out of late with Elton John, the Crusty Demons, AFL later this month, and then International Cricket,” Mr Bonson said.

“You have to love the Dry Season in the Top End and it is events like these that make our lifestyle one of the best in the world!”

Queensland Cricket wicket consultant Kevin Mitchell (senior) and GABBA Facilities manager Kevin Mitchell (junior) today arrived in Darwin to provide consultative advice for preparing the wickets for International Cricket.

“Mr Kevin Mitchell (junior) is a well known expert when it comes to dropping in the cricket wicket, and will provide advice and consultation for preparing Oval 1 for International Cricket,” Mr Bonson said.

 

During their visit Mr Mitchell Senior and Junior will lend their expertise to local curators John Furner and Trent Kelly.

 

“This is particularly important in terms of passing on their knowledge and expertise to NT Cricket’s Head Curator John Furner, and visiting curator Trent Kelly so in the future we can rely on our own local talent.”

 

Contact: Maria Billias 0401 119 746

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bonson.0506.cricketwickets.pdf ( 305.15 kb )