Sport Review guide to arguing about Test cricket venues
Sport Review #225
If you follow cricket fans online, you may have picked up they love to bitch about cricket grounds. Despite all having a pitch, outfield and some kind of seating facilities, parochialism, history, turf management and sometimes architecture are all part of this complicated and extremely ongoing argument, usually reaching a crescendo around fixture list release time.
With the Test season somehow underway at Mount Maunganui, here’s your guide to the nation’s Test cricket venues and associated brouhaha:
Eden Park, Auckland
Why it’s great: History. Formed from a partnership between Auckland Cricket and Rugby, Eden Park has seen some of the most famous cricket matches ever, from our first Test win to the 1992, 2015 and 2022 world cups to the first day night Test. A lot of the recent Test matches have been amazing there, from the agonising draw against England in 2013 to the storming win against India in 2014.
Why people don’t like it: The boundaries are very short. It’s in Sandringham. Rugby-fying the ground has meant it’s no longer a true oval, and the cricket becomes a bit weird. This can be fun, but it’s certainly fallen out of favour for Tests recently. Auckland has stadium issues, you may have heard, and with no real alternative for cricket on the horizon anytime soon, it feels like it’s blocking other opportunities for fans in the big city.
Seddon Park, Hamilton
Why it’s great: It’s in Hamilton. A textbook Test venue with an always-excellent pitch and an upgraded players’ area. Has lights. Does grassy banks very, very well, it’s a truly fantastic way to watch cricket. Short walk from the centre of town.
Why people don’t like it: Haters will say because it’s in Hamilton. Because Seddon Park is usually a decent climate, close to Auckland and does a great job, it’s a safe pair of hands and gets a lot of games, which can cause some grumbling.
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Why it’s great: It’s at the Mount, with stunning backdrop of the Mount itself and the charming siloes. Weather and the pitch are usually excellent, with an indoor nets and a high performance centre. A lot of BLACKCAPS live nearby. Development at the ground has been fast and aggressive with fantastic facilities, lights and food and drink options.
Why people don’t like it: Sucks up a lot of games, cutting the lunch of places like Napier. The lack of shade is becoming more of a glaring issue with not many solutions on the horizon.
Basin Reserve, Wellington
Why it’s great: It’s HQ. Test match week at the Basin is very special, with people travelling from all around to go to the game and enjoy extensive post-match debriefs in local watering holes. It has the band rotunda, the gates, the RA Vance and the actual NZ Cricket museum. It has Pōhutukawas and fire engines ripping around the outside.
Why people don’t like it: It’s hard to hate the Basin. There’s a bit of debate about white ball cricket at Sky Stadium, but everything is pretty chill, generally. Would love to see some lights.
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Why it’s great: Another new and ambitious oval. Grassy banks, charming walks through Hagley Park to the venue, and a world-class training venue is almost ready. Has held world cup matches and a women’s world cup final already. Has lights. Christchurch is the spiritual home of NZ cricket and deserves a fine venue like this.
Why people don’t like it: Some people thought a cricket ground would get in the way of powerwalks and whatever else happens in Hagley Park, but they were wrong.
University Oval, Dunedin
Why it’s great: Utterly charming, from the lovingly restored grandstand to the grassy banks. When the sun’s shining and sixes are raining down on pissed-as scarfies on the banks, it’s hard to beat.
Why people don’t like it: Doesn’t have lights. Struggles to secure big matches with all the competition.
Not reviewed: Cobham Oval, Whangarei (which should be), McLean Park, Napier (which shouldn’t be).
Thanks for reading - Richard
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