Cricket must move on from concrete tomb Eden Park

New Zealand Cricket must move away from tests at Eden Park, writes Wynne Gray. Photo /

Opinion

Test cricket needs soul in its surroundings and when Eden Park was revamped into a concrete tomb to cater for its winter code, it began the obituary for its summer sporting cousin.

The ground is leased to both sports in an unwise marriage as anyone who visits the park should acknowledge.

Cricket needs to shift out. It's unfortunate but it was marginalized by the arrival of rugby professionalism. When the Cricket Society shifted to the outer oval, it was an indication about the sport's test match future at Eden Park.

Last year they tried something different. The wicket was moved for NZ's test against India in February which meant a decent view down the wicket from either of the huge grandstands.

However shadows from the ASB Stand were a threat to the ground surface while mistimed edges carried for six to the bowlers' understandable disgust. It was not test cricket, it was a caricature of the noble game.

Limited overs games, Twenty20 matches, day nighters-play them at Eden Park and make some money and have a rollicking good time without breaking the local bylaws.

But tests should be played elsewhere. Up the line there is Cobham Oval, down the track Seddon Park, across the hills Bay Oval. Cricket grounds with an ambience to suit, grandstand seats for some, grassy areas for others and dimension which at least resemble a proper cricket ground.

Sometimes it feels like an exercise in survival at the Basin Reserve while the Vance Stand could do with a good bulldozer but the ground has a depth of cricket richness which decimates Eden Park.

Auckland's ongoing somersault decisions about the use and upgrade of stadiums and which sports should be the major tenant, is an indictment on the city fathers.

If test cricket is to have a future in the city, perhaps Victoria Park, the Domain or Cornwall Park might sign up. Drop in a pitch, put up some temporary stands, make it an event or take the test match elsewhere where others will appreciate it.

Auckland's sporting impediment is Eden Park. Until someone with the chutzpah,
mega-money and a realism which has not been apparent in the city's planning, comes up with an alternate multi-use stadium, Eden Park will continue to slowly strangle the sporting life out of the city.