Three pristine practice wickets were unveiled at Tauranga Domain on Saturday in a major boost for young cricketers in the region.
The new facility has been relocated to the Cameron Rd end of the domain number two sports fields. With cricket numbers booming, the extra bowling and batting lane will be well utilised as the new cricket season approaches.
Otumoetai Cadets president Campbell Wilson said the opening of the new practice nets laid with top class, artificial grass would kick-start the club's 40th-anniversary celebration this season.
"Our nets have been in need of repair for a long time. I don't know how long they have been here, they could have been here for the whole time the club has been here," he said.
"There was a bit of chat between [former player] Paul Wills and the [Tauranga City] council to look at a couple of other things and it came about through there. It was an idea then put forward to change our nets, which was the best option."