Today is the first official day of summer and over the last few weeks the weather has been variable . However the question is will we really have a summer of cricket? The short answer is yes.
NIWA Climate Scientist James Renwick says currently we are experiencing an El Nino weather pattern which means we will get slightly colder than normal temperatures and stronger south westerly and westerly winds.
“Without a doubt we will have a summer,” Renwick said. “From what we can see it will be milder than normal.”
He said it will be cooler over the southern half of the South Island and dry conditions in the eastern and northern parts of the North Island, with average fall during the warmer season. “Historically February is the driest month and January is the hottest.”
If you are heading out to watch the cricket this summer and soak up the sun it is important to remember sun safety.
Sun Safety
Susie Greene from the Health Sponsorship Council says it is so important to be prepared this summer.
- Wide brimmed hat
- Good pair of sun glasses
- Shirt with a collar and long sleeves
- Sit in the shade
“You need to protect your neck and ears because these areas have a high frequency of skin cancers, especially for men”
Greene says the statistics regarding skin cancers in younger people are increasing and she recommends keeping an eye on pre-teen and teenage children when it comes to being sun smart. “Parents are generally really good with kids under eight. However when they get a little bit older parents give children more responsibility. We are trying to get parents to encourage their children to carry on the sun smart message through the teenage years.”
According to Greene, those under the age of 20 who get sunburnt are more susceptible to developing skin cancers in later life so ensure you and your children are covered up this summer.
Families also need to have food and water, and taking the whole family can be expensive if you purchase at from the grounds.
New Zealand’s cricket grounds allow you to take in your own packed lunch.
Pack the perfect lunch
Neil Tindall, trainer, nutritionist and manager from the Canterbury Wizards has a few tips about packing the perfect lunch and enjoying a great day at the cricket.
Stay hydrated.
Water or diluted juice is perfect to keep your fluid levels up. Try and stay away from caffeinated or fizzy drinks. “We lose up to one litre of fluid every hour even when we are just watching cricket. So you need to stay hydrated. Have a drink every 15 minutes.”
please remember however if you are attending international cricket, you can only take an unopened bottle of water into most grounds.
Make sure you pack a range of healthy snacks
Tindall suggests things like scroggin and unsalted nuts. He recommends staying away from anything with sugar, salt or chocolate. “Scroggin is good. It’s cheap and tastes great.”
Pack fresh fruit
It’s important to stay hydrated so Tindall suggests the likes of watermelon, apples and pears, which are juicy and delicious. “Also try freezing a banana and put it by your sandwiches. It keeps them cold and frozen banana tastes just like banana ice cream.”
Sandwiches are a good option
Try a ham salad sandwich, or chicken and turkey which are low in fat and salt. “The likes of pineapple or tomato are great because they hold fluids. If you can hydrate without even thinking about it then that’s a good thing.”
Alcoholic intake
If you are drinking alcohol at the game Tindall has a good trick to live by. “One alcoholic drink, one water. Don’t get baked in the sunshine!”
