It's just not cricket. And it's inaccurate. That's the Bay Oval Trust general manager Kelvin Jones front footing what he describes as 'begrudging” criticism of plans to install $2.6 million lighting towers for night fixtures at the venue.

'There is no demand, no requirement nor any need,” insisted Rob Paterson of Matapihi in an email to Sun Media.

Lights will allow cricket to be played when it suits the viewing public.

'It will prove to be no use to cricket – in a nutshell, it is a white elephant.”

And that's even before the elephant has ambled into being. The trust is making a pitch for financial help under the council's annual plan.

However, Rob doesn't want the Tauranga City Council, via ratepayers, to provide any future funding for Bay Oval developments.

Rob says Bay Oval will only get two summer holiday matches played in the daytime, during daylight saving, with good attendances. 'Why on earth do you need lights?”

For very good reasons, replies Kelvin.

'Cricket, like any sport, wants to play matches when it suits the viewing public. It's the same reason you don't often see day time Super Rugby matches anymore.”

Kelvin says evening games make it more convenient for spectators coming to the ground, for those at home watching on TV and those watching from overseas.

'And viewing statistics paint a very obvious picture with night games significantly out-rating day games.”

And the Bay Oval general manager says Rob is 'inaccurate”.

NZ Cricket, claims Kelvin, is looking to schedule more and more games at venues with lights. In past seasons the average number of international playing days has been about 22.

Next season that will increase to more than 40. 'Venues with lights will be favoured. And we know NZ Cricket likes the Bay Oval.”

Kelvin says that's because it offers advantages over other venues. It has the equal largest spectator space of all non-stadium venues – on a par with Hagley Oval and bigger than Saxton Oval, University Oval, The Basin Reserve and Seddon Park.

The drainage is the best in the country and the climate offers a longer season, which assists scheduling of games.

Rob also used a Dunedin example to add weight to his argument. 'The Dunedin City Council has turned down a lighting request from the University Oval because it wouldn't stack up.”

'False,” says Kelvin. He says NZ Cricket has offered more matches to a lit University Oval and the DCC has conditionally committed $1.1m to the project if the ground can grow its capacity. Fundraising $750,000 for embankment extensions is underway.

'I would have at least expected some sort of begrudging admiration from Mr Paterson for what the Bay Oval has achieved with so little ratepayer input to date,” says Kelvin.

So far TCC has contributed $543,000 to the development of an asset valued well in excess of $5 million.

'The Oval is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with innovative funding and the council and community working together to create an asset Tauranga can be proud of.”