Napier loses ODI cricket match to Hamilton

NO GAME: Napier mayor Bill Dalton at the abandoned cricket match between Australia and the Blackcaps last month which prompted the decision to move the game in March. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN.

Stripping Napier of the fourth ANZ One Day International between the Black Caps and South Africa has prompted a full turf upgrade at McLean Park.

The decision to move the game to Hamilton came yesterday in what Napier mayor Bill Dalton described as a disappointing one.

"The decision was not an easy one to make, and I'm bitterly disappointed on behalf of the fans, and for the players, and the council."

An independent assessment of the ground 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 March 1," Mr Dalton said.

"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.

A draft report pointed to issues with the park's sand carpet and a drainage system that was not able to withstand "extreme" conditions, like those in late January.

Napier City Council chief executive Wayne Jack said in light of this council was preparing to completely replace the turf, and would 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."

He said council moved the project forward into 2017 so that games can be back on the ground in Napier as soon as logistically possible.

The upgrade will include improvements to irrigation, drainage, the playing surface and lighting.

Mr Jack said this would put the area in a leading regional position when it came to hosting world-class sport.

"We've forecasted for this, we have the funds, and we will now reallocate those funds with urgency."

New Zealand Cricket supports the council's decision to cancel the match at McLean Park due to the level of risk.

"We don't want to put anyone through the disappointment of another rained out game. We're in agreement on that," Mr Jack said.

NZC chief operating officer Anthony Crummy is keen to get matches back to the region and is already working with council towards that goal.

"We can look forward with confidence to McLean Park hosting next summer's ODIs between the Black Caps and England, and the Black Caps and Pakistan," Mr Crummy said.