Date-stamped : 24 Jun96 - 06:29
First ever competition match on Dutch turf

Sunday  June  16,  1996.  A memorable day for Dutch cricket.  For
the  first  time  in  history a competition match was played on a
true  Dutch  grass  wicket.   The grass wicket of Koninklijke UD,
finished  this year, was tested during april and may.  The honour
of  actually  playing  it befell Kon UD 3 and Hilversum 3.  Not a
top-class  match  yet.   The  first  Premier  League match on the
Deventer  grass wicket will be in 4 to 6 weeks, when the moveable
covers and sight screens will be ready.  After Hilversum beat the
locals by 3 wickets, both batsmen and bowlers seemed content with
the quality of the pitch.

The official international opening match is planned for August 7,
when  Alan  Lamb  will  bring  a team to Deventer to play a Dutch
selection.

<END> Contributed by Etaoin (etaoin@cricinfo.com)