Cricket Central

Apr 24th, 2023

Great moden facilities.
Mar 31st, 2023

Mar 17th, 2023

It is an outstanding cricket facility.
Feb 18th, 2023

I would not quibble, rather I would tend to agree, with any of the five star reviews of Cricket Central as a cricket development, administration and training centre; at least from casual observation and not being there to use those aspects of the place. That is not the focus of this review. However, whilst the cricket oval is presently an ideal adjunct to a training centre; it is presently a long, long way from ideal for a venue for a competitive cricket match where the comfort and enjoyment of spectators for a full day of cricket (of a multi-day match or a 50 over match) is a relevant consideration. The final of the Sydney First Grade cricket competition 2022/2023 was played at this Oval. If you were not alerted to bring your own chair (as in a proper seat as opposed to a step or the ground) with you, or knew but could not manage to carry one for yourself and for anyone with you who would be unable to do so on public transport and/or walking, then finding a chair was difficult. Thankfully the cafe was open on the Saturday outside its usual operating hours, and some chairs were "borrowed" by spectators from there. However, the Oval is seemingly not designed for spectators to watch a match from the seats brought with them, or otherwise obtained, or if they have no alternative but to sit on the ground. The ground around the Oval is not materially raised in any place. There is no "hill" area, like you can find at Drummoyne Oval and many other suburban cricket grounds, where sitting on the ground/grass for a prolonged time can give you a fine view of the match and can overall be a pretty pleasant experience in suitable weather. There is no dedicated cover for spectators from (strong) sun or (light) showers that facilitates viewing the match (too); but where some cover can be found viewing of the match may be impaired by small decorative trees, fire hydrants, and various other things from impromptu (portable) chair placement at ground level in places not dedicated to spectators watching a match. Possibly not even anticipated. The photographs of the oval show a large modern building overlooking the oval, with (apparently) large windows facing the oval - with an above-ground vantage. This building is not a grandstand for spectators. In fact, signs indicated that it was not to be entered by spectators, on those doors that were not locked. The digital scoreboard is excellent and always up with the play; and the playing surface looked fine - though from only a ground level vantage point. The poor weather with showers on Saturday of the First Grade cricket final highlighted the deficiencies for spectators. It could be better in some perfect weather conditions for the Oval for spectators, if you are able to bring a comfortable - or any - chair with you and everyone with you, the match has only a few spectators and also the cafe is (still) open nonetheless. For this I could not deny a star. I overheard complaints about lack of adequate spectator toilet facilities at the Oval and inadequate private car parking in the carpark or vicinity, which also probably would not be a problem for only a few spectators. If I missed or overlooked any or many positive features of the Oval for more than just a few spectators at a planned full day of play, and as it is not a regularly scheduled grade cricket venue, an obvious concierge/greeter for spectators for the first session of all days of the First Grade final might have been helpful.
Mar 10th, 2023