Eden Park all set to host NZ’s first day-night test
Auckland’s Eden Park looks set to host New Zealand’s first day-night cricket test, against England in 2018.
Auckland and Christchurch’s Hagley Oval were awarded the two tests against England as New Zealand Cricket confirmed its schedule for the next two seasons yesterday. It takes in four touring sides in each season and features 98 days of cricket.
NZC chief executive David White was confident resourceconsent issues could be solved to allow the country’s first day-night test.
We are looking forward to working through that with the authorities over the next period of time,’’ he said yesterday.
‘‘Also we need to work through [things] with England Cricket and the players, but we are very confident we will overcome those obstacles.’’
The feedback from England had been positive.
‘‘We’ve had initial conversations with them. They are very receptive to the idea. We haven’t finalised the detail yet, but they, like most member countries are very receptive to the idea of daynight tests.’’
White said Auckland was an obvious venue because of the population base.
‘‘Why Eden Park? We want the first ever day-night test match to be huge in New Zealand. It is a fantastic ground, it has been the scene of some epic battles of the recent times and obviously with the population of Auckland as well.’’
South Africa will be the main opponent this summer and will play tests in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton in March to wrap up New Zealand’s busiest home summer with 50 match days.
Australia visit in late January and early February for three Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day internationals which will be played in Auckland, Napier and Hamilton.
Hagley Oval appears the big winner and will kick off the home season by hosting Pakistan in the first test on November 17, and Bangladesh in the Boxing Day ODI. Hamilton’s Seddon Park hosts the second Pakistan test on November 25.
‘‘The last couple of years has seen a significant rise in interest in cricket and I think the schedule we’ve locked in will help that interest continue to grow,’’ White said.
Eden Park last hosted a test against India in 2014, with its excellent floodlights and large