Basin upgrade promised while NZC take more control of venues

A short-term agreement to improve facilities at the Basin Reserve will see Test cricket retained at the ground this coming summer, with a longer term undertaking made by Wellington Stadium officials for a more substantial upgrade having been accepted by New Zealand Cricket.

The grand old lady of the New Zealand cricket scene was the subject of much criticism in both the Test matches played at the ground last summer, the Boxing Day match against Bangladesh and the late-March match against England.

The latter was especially embarrassing given the pathetic state of the ground's scoreboard, the continuing woeful state of the ground covers and the inadequate facilities around the ground.

However, there will be no Boxing Day Test this summer. The Test will be played two weeks before Christmas in order to meet Indian requests to be back home by January 16, and to fit in with the best pre-tournament World Cup schedule for New Zealand.

The change was not a precedent for future summers, the chief executive of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Martin Snedden told CricInfo today.

Problems at the Basin Reserve have resulted in a complete change of NZC's match management plans and its relationship with ground authorities.

"Last season we became a lot more active in directing the ground authorities on the types of wickets we wanted at grounds.

"We want them hard, bouncy and as fast as reasonably possible in New Zealand conditions," he said.

Hamilton, Carisbrook and Napier had been consistently solid in this regard in recent times while the drop-in pitch at Jade Stadium in Christchurch was a big step forward. It had been too green to start with but by the fourth day of the game it "an absolute beauty", Snedden said.

"Eden Park went some way towards doing what we wanted, but the quality was not quite as good. But it was a step in the right direction," he said.

New Zealand had to have top quality pitches for a fast-paced game.

Wellington ground authorities had given NZC a real commitment to try and move the Basin Reserve wicket to the next level.

Soils capable of serving the ground better will be laid on the practice block to allow an assessment of which is best suited to Wellington. Once that is decided, the soil would be re-laid in the pitch block. It would be a two step process and NZC would support them in that.

There would also be an upgrading of the outfield while a new system of covers would be sought to avoid the embarrassing delays that have hindered the ground in the past.

The existing scoreboard, which fell into such disrepute and disrepair during the Test will be upgraded while a Clipsal electronic screen would continue to be used in conjunction with the traditional scoreboard.

"I'm happy enough with how the whole situation has turned out. Over a period of time there will be a long-term improvement," Snedden said.

A new system of match management for all international grounds has also been introduced by NZC.

When it was only a third party in ground usage, NZC had found problems in getting its requirements for matches met. It was difficult getting some accountability and there was no contracted relationship with ground authorities.

Now, with the support of the major associations there would be a contract directly with each ground authority. And Snedden did not envisage any problems in getting the required agreement.

"The relationship hasn't changed. They will be our agents, it is the principle that is different.

"If we strike problems we will have better and more direct control," Snedden said.