McLean Park international cricket match moved to Hamilton

The international between South Africa and the Blackcaps has been cancelled as McLean Park is not fit for purpose, an assessors report found.

The fourth ANZ One Day International between the Blackcaps and South Africa, scheduled to be played at Napier's McLean Park on March 1, has been transferred to Hamilton.

Napier mayor Bill Dalton said an assessors report found that the turf at the park was no longer fit for purpose.

"The investigation has uncovered some problems with the ground - problems that are not able to be resolved in time for 1 March."

"We have a fantastic ground in a superb location, but the turf is old and it has deteriorated dramatically in the face of the recent drought conditions Hawke's Bay has experienced."

Mr Dalton said there were issues with the organic matter beneath the surface of the ground - issues council didn't know about and are now urgently dealing with.

Napier City Council chief executive Wayne Jack said that council was preparing to completely replace the turf, and will do so as soon as possible.

"With the life span of the turf in mind, council had already budgeted almost $900,000 through the Long Term Plan for a full replacement in 2018/19."

However with the knowledge we now have, we're bringing this project forward into 2017 so that we can get games back on the ground in Napier as soon as logistically possible."

Mr Dalton said the decision was not an easy one to make, and he's "bitterly disappointed on behalf of the fans, and for the players, and the Council."