SUN SETS ON EDEN

international cricket exposure and the subsequent economic benefits due to the lack of a cost-effective, financially viable venue.

In a March 27 submission to the 2018-28 Auckland Council longterm plan, NZC chief executive David White wrote: “Eden Park — the only ICC-sanctioned arena in New Zealand’s most populous city, is unaffordable for all but the biggest and, by definition, the rarest of international cricket fixtures.

“Additionally, Eden Park’s small size and rectangular, footballshaped playing field continually risks compromising the integrity of cricket matches hosted there.

“Resource consent restrictions and a lack of fan-friendly, cricketspecific features at the arena limits NZC’s ability to schedule a greater number of games in the city.”

Auckland Cricket chief executive Iain Laxon said they were aware NZC had been talking to the RFA about the possibility.

“We’re still in a position where we feel we get great benefits from Eden Park in terms of the facilities and in financial sense.

“Nothing we have seen in terms of an option around Western Springs is suitable for Auckland Cricket’s requirements, but we’re open to having some conversations.”

As an original owner of the Eden Park site, Auckland Cricket’s guarantees as part of an existing deal include an approximate $330,000 annuity under the Eden Park Trust Amendment Act 2009. That is further supplemented by cost savings on office space — as tenants at the ground — carparks, and the maintenance and use of the indoor facility.

The annuity would remain regardless of any move; the expenses would need negotiating.

The NZC and RFA positions suggest a shift could occur from Auckland’s international cricket home since the New ZealandEngland test in February 1930.

Auckland has hosted three tests since 2006 but Eden Park remains International Cricket Councilcompliant only because it was an established ground before the latest regulations on minimum ground size came into effect.

White said a new 20,000-seat stadium in a natural amphitheatre with grass banking at Western Springs made a lot of sense.

The submission supported flexibility at the venue, with the likes of a drop-in pitch meaning noncricketing events such as concerts could also take place.

Western Springs might have a lower capacity than Eden Park, but the net costs of staging games are expected to be lower because of reduced rental fees.

NZC also proposed shifting to Western Springs as a long-term tenant, as well as the prospect of becoming a high-performance base for servicing professional men’s and women’s players.

Auckland Cricket was convinced.

“If you’re looking at an international scenario, it’s pretty easy to accommodate a drop-in pitch which you can take out and have concerts on,” Laxon said. “But we’ve got 70-80 days of [Plunket Shield, List A and Twenty20] cricket [each summer] if you include training on a field that needs a wicket. That pretty much rules out a multipurpose stadium.

“If there were two ovals at that site, you might be able to work around that.” less