Bellahomes Northland Cricket Association are gearing up to host the National Bank Series three-day tour match between Pakistan and a New Zealand XI on January 2-4, 2011, at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.
Northland Cricket chief executive Gary Bell said Bellahomes NCA enjoyed hosting international teams and said it was a positive thing
for the region.
"It's been a long time since the last international men's game," Bell said.
"It will be wonderful to host Pakistan and a New Zealand XI at Cobham Oval. We've had many quality games here, and we expect this one to be another excellent match.
"Not only is this game good exposure for Cobham Oval, but it is also very positive for the wider community to have another code bringing international teams to Northland.
"Cricket fans will be able to see some of the best cricketers in the world up close and I know the community will support this significant sporting event," Bell said.
The last international men's game to be hosted by NCA was at the old Cobham Oval in 1994 when the West Indies toured New Zealand.
The new Cobham Oval ground was formed in 2003 and regularly hosts the Northern Knights domestic matches and has hosted White Ferns fixtures against Australia.
At NZ Cricket's suggestion, the Oval has had a significant upgrade since then to align with international standards.
The upgrade included the addition of the Bellahomes Players' Pavilion, as well as merging two changing rooms in the Spire Pavilion to create a spacious second changing facility.
Twelve grass practice strips have been added and the embankment was terraced to seat 5500 spectators comfortably. There is also room for temporary seating to fit extra spectators.
"We have done everything we need to do, we now have to wait for NZ Cricket to make a decision on how they will go forward in terms of getting international accreditation. Getting this series is just reward for the many people who have worked towards the upgrade," Bell said.
