Party at Ross’ place once they get the roof back on
It’s currently a construction zone; in four months it’s scheduled to host a party at Ross Taylor’s place.
As Firebirds batsman Devon Conway plundered 327 not out against Canterbury this week, a Basin Reserve record and the country’s sixth-highest innings, the sound of hammers and saws blasted from the venerable Museum Stand.
Scaffolding and blue sheeting envelop the stand amid a major earthquake strengthen and restoration. Cricket Wellington’s chief executive Cam Mitchell remains confident it will be ready to seat spectators for the first time in eight years on February 21, day one of the first test against India.
Not only that, but Mitchell – who sits on the Basin Reserve Trust – is targeting an 8000-plus sellout with the added bonus of Taylor’s likely 100th test at his ‘home’ ground.
‘‘The great thing is, the project is on track. Worst case scenario, we’ll open just the seating for India; best case scenario the whole stand is open and available and we’ve got our offices and the museum is up and running,’’ Mitchell said.
‘‘Things are tracking well which is positive. That’s a significant game
Ross Taylor on the Basin Reserve
of the series, the No 1 and No 2 ranked test playing nations and we want to see a full house.
‘‘Hopefully we’re in a position with those extra 1000 seats that it’s 8000 people and sold out. A whole lot of people up there making a bit of noise will be special.’’
New Zealand’s batting maestro sits on 94 tests, and assuming he plays two against England then three in Australia without injury or illness, Taylor will join Daniel Vettori, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum in the 100 club against Virat Kohli’s India.
Taylor grew up in Masterton, lives in Hamilton and plays for Central Stags. He has fond memories of the Basin, where he overtook his late friend and mentor, Martin Crowe, as the leading test runscorer in March with a knock of 200 against Bangladesh.
Taylor said in 2017: ‘‘I always get a nice reception here, probably with family making most of the racket. It’s definitely my favourite ground in New Zealand, especially as a test venue with the history and tradition and it’s always a good wicket.’’
The heritage-listed Museum Stand is nearly a century old and was declared an earthquake risk and closed to spectators in 2012, dipping the ground’s capacity under 7000.
Last year Wellington City Council confirmed it would spend $7.7 million on strengthening the stand, with the roof identified as the major area of concern.
It meant removing steel from the roof, re-cladding and strengthening it, and internally strengthening the walls, Mitchell said. New concrete was laid over the top of the previous structures to prolong the lifespan of the building.
The Cricket Museum’s exhibits will return, and Cricket Wellington staff will move in from their temporary offices in the Vance Stand when the project is finished next year.
Mitchell said floodlights remain on the trust’s wish list even though council withdrew $8m set aside for lights from its $21m Basin upgrade masterplan to pay for the Museum Stand project.
‘‘There’s still a desire to have lights here. Certainly for the ground to maintain its reputation as an international venue lights at some point.’’
Making a business case for private funding for lights, and the consenting process, will be the next task. It is understood to cost around $5 million for the project.
Meanwhile, former World AntiDoping Agency (Wada) boss David Howman has been elected Cricket Wellington’s new chair, replacing Sally Morrison.
Howman, former Black Cap Grant Elliott and former Wellington rep Jason Wells replaced departing board members Morrison, Chris Lendrum and Paul Chandler at the recent annual meeting.
Cricket Wellington posted an operating surplus of $52,000 for 2018-19, completing an $80,000 turnaround in the last two years.
Mitchell said it had grown its commercial sponsors and created more diverse income streams to offset a drop in gaming revenue.
‘‘We’re in a stable position. Running these organisations is always tough and you’ve got to make difficult decisions around where you allocate those resources.
‘‘It helps with the support we get from NZ Cricket, and now we’re looking at how we invest into the future. That comes off the back of nine losses in a row so that was a pretty bleak time.’’ we’ll need
‘‘It’s definitely my favourite ground in New Zealand, especially as a test venue with the history and tradition and it’s always a good wicket.’’