Cricket: Light up Bay Oval or get hit for six

Mount Maunganui resident Dean Brownlie hits a boundary for the Black Caps against South Africa at Bay Oval last October. Photo / Getty Images

Bay Oval missed out on a minimum of three ICC World Cup Cricket matches this summer due to a lack of floodlights.

The world-class facility in Mount Maunganui is now at risk of becoming a picturesque international white elephant if lighting is not installed.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust general manager Kelvin Jones says NZ Cricket has indicated that they will guarantee international fixtures over multiple years if Bay Oval has lights.

"Without lighting, our fledgling international cricket venue may have a very short-lived life," Jones said. "NZ Cricket has currently made this offer to other venues. Dunedin's University Oval, Christchurch's Hagley Oval and the Basin Reserve in Wellington are all trying to light their grounds.

"If they are successful before Bay Oval then we can likely expect any guarantees to be withdrawn. Providing a multi-year guarantee of international sport is very rare. This opportunity may not present itself again and we may miss all international cricket here."

Jones is working with NZ Cricket over the possibility of hosting international matches again for next season.

He says they have indicated Bay Oval is a preferred venue for televising domestic finals weekends, particularly Twenty20.

"In 2014 the Bay Oval Trust raised over $650,000 towards improvements to the oval. This included a new scoreboard, a media, TV and sightscreen structure, and terraces in front of the pavilion.

"We tick all the boxes with good draining outfield, climate, proximity to Auckland and the perception of being a neutral venue give us an advantage. We are no different than Super 15 in that people want to watch in the evening.

"The unfortunate thing is that cricket is an expensive sport to light because of the vast areas involved and the small, fast-moving ball. Incoming tours in future will only go to venues with lights."

Jones has presented a submission to Tauranga City Council for funding of $1 million, which is anticipated to be half the cost of lighting the Bay Oval.

Bay Oval is now one of highest profile venues in the Tauranga area. In the last 18 months more than 20,000 spectators have viewed cricket there and 15 International teams have either played or trained for extended periods of time. Last October South Africa and New Zealand played two official ODI matches at the venue.

The economic benefits over the past 18 months have been significant, says Jones.

"Work done around cricket internationals in Hamilton show a net economic benefit of over $800,000 per game.

"There was a direct spend from the International Cricket Council into Tauranga of around $500,000 for the Cricket World Cup qualifying with $250,000 of that alone in accommodation."