Cricket watching is soon going to be a much more comfortable affair in most of New Zealand's main centres.

WestpacTrust Park Jade Stadium

Wellington set the pace with its 1979/80 redevelopment of the Basin Reserve. It remains one of the finest enhancements of a cricket ground in the country, incorporating the best of the historic nature of the ground while equipping it for the future.

Certainly there have been hiccups along the way, especially in the provision of public facilities, but these have been addressed and as a Test ground there is still none to compare with the mixture of members comfort and wide open space for the general public.

Dunedin got in on the act and upgraded Carisbrook with much more comfortable seating, especially on the western end of the ground.

With the increasing interest in events entertainment, the development of WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington has also set standards for One-Day cricket that are so far unsurpassed in the country.

However, the response is underway. Auckland has developed its ASB stand on the northern side of the ground. Even if it continues the rugby-based development of the ground, it at least offers more of the comforts to be expected from an international sports ground.

Hamilton showed part of its redevelopment of its own WestpacTrust Park to the cricket world during last week's One-Day International against Sri Lanka.

Soaring grass banks at the southern end of the ground have been developed at a greater angle than were in existence in the past. That has been continued around the south-eastern corner past the old scoreboard which is to be retained, and lifted higher, to lend even more of a grass bank touch than even the Basin Reserve ennjoys.

Covered seating for 2500 patrons will be developed along the north-eastern side of the ground while the resource consents hearings for the introduction of lights will start soon.

By the time the project is finished WestpacTrust Park will have a 16,500 crowd capacity with appropriate facilities.

Covered seating will be available for 2500 patrons.

Plans are for four 50m high light towers, a new practice block at the southern end of the ground behind the sight screens, cobbled pedestrian paths and a picket fence around the ground.

Canterbury's Jade Stadium is also in the throes of a significant redevelopment.

The familiar embankment has gone and by next February will be replaced by a four-storey stand which will greatly enhance the seating at the ground.

The ground will now hold 36,500 people, all seated. That is an increase in seating capacity of 24,500. Corporate seating has increased from 1200-5000.

The new West Stand, surely it will be given a more suitable name and Alex Wyllie and Fergie McCormick deserve to be front-runners, will seat 16,500 people.

Sales for seats and boxes in the new stand will start in two weeks time when the Stadium's investment statement is sent out.

In time, it is expected the West Stand will be duplicated on the eastern side of the ground and there will eventually be a walkway right around the ground on the first floor level.

When rugby is played on the new ground it will be on a slightly different angle while the cricket block will remain as it is.

The ground is expected to be ready for next summer's Test match against England and the 2003 Super 12 programme.

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