Hagley Oval fully accredited as international venue

The Hagley Oval has secured full accreditation as an international cricket venue.

New Zealand’s newest cricket ground and the host of the opening game of the 2015 World Cup was developed in the wake of the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch.

has been granted its ICC Warrant of Fitness – the ground’s final accreditation hurdle ahead of the Boxing Day ANZ Test against Sri Lanka and the start of the Cricket World Cup 2015.

Officials assessed the on- and off-field facilities, eventually granting an ICC warrant of fitness.

“From the earliest days of tournament planning, knowing what sport means to Cantabrians and the challenges the city has faced, we had a vision of Hagley Oval playing a key role in the Cricket World Cup,” said ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Head of New Zealand Therese Walsh.

“The oval and pavilion are truly world class, and it will be a very special occasion when Hagley Oval is beamed around the world for the opening match on 14 February.”

Two ODIs were played at the venue earlier this year, when Scotland beat Canada and Kenya.

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