Work advances on possible Western
The duel between Western Springs Stadium and Eden Park, as to which venue will host future Auckland cricket tests, has taken its next step.
Feasibility work has started on what is being termed a “national cricket stadium” at Western Springs. Tonkin + Taylor, one of the country’s leading environmental and engineering consultancies, has been assigned the work.
If successful, the ground would become New Zealand’s ninth test venue, presuming Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval or Nelson’s Saxton Oval are not approved in the meantime. Any prospect of test cricket looks unlikely until the speedway lease ends in 2019, after a 90-year tenure.
A source told the Herald the project was “more than basic exploratory work, and more of a go-ahead” but the key parties involved insist no final decision has been made.
In a supplied statement, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said: “New Zealand Cricket views the development of a viable test venue in Auckland as a priority.
“Over the past few months, the NZC board has received presentations from Auckland Cricket on a proposal to develop Eden Park No 2 [the outer oval], and from Regional Facilities Auckland — in terms of developing Western Springs.
“Once all information has been collected and discussed, the Board will be in a position to state a preference.”
Auckland Cricket would prefer to make the outer oval a test ground by extending the boundaries so they comply with ICC regulations.
“We’ve long held an ambition to develop the ground with a stadium which could fit 5000-10,000 people,” chief executive Mark Cameron said.