Cricket: Basin's test future sealed

England's Alastair Cook plays a shot during the second test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve. Photo / Getty Images

Fears about the Basin Reserve's future as a test cricket venue have been alleviated with the Wellington City Council confirming it will provide $450,000 of funding for the construction of a nets facility separate to the playing arena.

Cricket Wellington had been concerned the ground could lose test status after the International Cricket Council indicated it preferred grounds to have practice facilities off the main oval so nets could be used while the game was in progress.

This is not practical at the Basin Reserve though Hamilton's Seddon Park and the University Oval in Dunedin - New Zealand's other test venues this summer - have net facilities.

The council's strategy and policy committee yesterday voted unanimously to foot the bill for the construction of five practice pitches in the southwest corner of the ground.

The work has been drafted into the council's annual plan from July 1, 2009.

- NZPA