Basin Reserve secures funds for practice facilities

The Wellington City Council has confirmed that it will help fund the construction of practice facilities at the Basin Reserve to comply with ICC's requirements that Test venues must have nets outside the ground so that they can be used while the match is in progress.

Cricket Wellington (CW) had concerns that the Basin Reserve could lose Test status if the practice facilities were not in place when the ICC assessed venues for a warrant of fitness. CW chief executive Gavin Larsen presented the plans to Council, who will now provide $450,000 for the construction of five practice pitches in the southwest corner of the ground.

The Basin Reserve was in competition with Hamilton's Seddon Park and University Oval in Dunedin to host Test matches and the other two grounds already had practice facilities outside the playing area. The Basin will be officially recognised by the National Heritage Trust during the third day of the second Test against England on March 15.