Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

While the start of construction overlooking the Bay of Plenty Cricket Oval at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui appears of little consequence – in reality it is a further building block in the Western Bay having a role in the 2015 ICC World Cup to be played in New Zealand.

Phase one of the building of facilities that can accommodate first class cricket at the Bay Oval, has started in recent weeks, with the construction of a toilet block and much needed storage space.

The vision to play international cricket in the Western Bay kicked off a decade ago. The decision was taken by Bay of Plenty Cricket, to develop a new ground at Blake Park, after NZ Cricket took major association one-day games away from both the old Blake Park wicket and Smallbone Park in Rotorua, because of what was deemed sub-standard pitches.

The new Blake Park ground was designed with the intention of creating a village green type atmosphere. The ground capacity would allow around 10,000 spectators the opportunity to watch top class cricket in the Bay of Plenty.

In March 2005 earthworks commenced. While Tauranga City Council provided the land, Bay of Plenty Cricket was responsible for developing the irrigation system and establishing the wicket block and outfield.

After 10 weeks of earthmoving the next step was to put in the number one cricket block and outfield.

The return of top-level cricket at Blake Park moved closer to reality during 2006. With the amphitheatre in place, the following twelve months saw the development of the playing surface.

With the laying of the wicket block and the sowing of the outfield completed, the ground lay dormant during the winter period.

After several years of planning and preparation, the new Bay of Plenty Cricket Oval at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, became a reality during the 2006/2007 cricket season.

During a two-year period, the new oval progressed from a bare piece of land to a potentially international class cricket wicket. As a result of inclement weather and petty vandalism the use of the new oval was delayed, with the first match being played in early March 2007.

Receipt of a NZ Cricket Warrant of Fitness audit in the spring of 2007 was the springboard to the return of top-level cricket to the Western Bay of Plenty.

A decision by New Zealand Cricket in late 2009 had some exciting ramifications for the Bay of Plenty Cricket Oval at Blake Park.

New Zealand Cricket had finally got serious about Twenty/20 cricket signing HRV to a three year sponsorship agreement.

They also created a stand alone window in January 2010 where all the Black Caps would be available to play. The Bay Cricket Oval was the major beneficiary of the new format and was allocated three matches in the summer holiday season. The three Northern Knights Twenty/20 fixtures in January 2010 attracted some 15,000 spectators through the turnstiles.

During January 2010 the Bay Oval hosted an international team for the first time. The West Indies Under-19 team, who were in New Zealand for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, utilised the oval as they prepared for the pinnacle of world age group cricket.

Further big steps have been undertaken in the last 12 months, with Oval Turf Manager Jared Carter preparing a wicket block that coupled with the grounds outstanding drainage, is available for training purposes outside the regular cricket season.

Such has been the success of out of season preparations, that several Black Caps trained on the wicket block prior to departure for the West Indies and the Auckland Aces played two warm-up games before leaving for the Champions Trophy a couple of weeks ago.

The next step is the completion of the pavilion and more top-level cricket on the ground, in order to convince the ICC inspection team, that the ground is ready to host World Cup games in 2015.

Seeya at the Game.