Earth moves to reveal new ground

Times Media

TELFORD VICE, Christchurch

HAGLEY Oval in Christchurch, where SA will play their two warm-up matches before starting their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe in Hamilton on Sunday, has been a cricket ground since 1867. But it took the earth to move to elevate the venue to international status.

That happened on February 22, 2011, when an earthquake killed 185 people and caused extensive damage to the Christchurch city centre - including to the ground formerly known as Lancaster Park, which hosted the first of its 40 tests in 1930 and has seen 48 one-day internationals.

But there was an upside to the demise of the old venue, which was primarily a rugby stadium whose dimensions were not wholly suited to staging cricket. Hagley Oval, by contrast, is a gorgeous greensward encircled by white pickets and lined by tall trees - it is the epitome of the graciously understated cricket ground.

However, the plan to develop the venue to international level was controversial enough to end up in New Zealand’s Environment Court.

The field is within an expansive public park and urban forest situated on the banks of the Avon River, an idyll many did not want sullied by something so crass as an international cricket venue.

Hagley Oval ODIs - 3 (January, 2014 - January, 2015)

Highest total: 341/9 (Scotland v Canada, January 23, 2014)

Lowest total: 171 (Canada v Scotland, January 23, 2014)

Highest score: Calum McLeod 175 (Scotland v Canada, January 23, 2014)

Best bowling: Khurram Chohan 5/68 (Canada v Scotland, January 23, 2014)