Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes yesterday confirmed that the Sutcliffe family had given their blessing to relocating the ashes of the legendary left-handed batsman from their place at Carisbrook to the University Oval.
Sutcliffe, regarded as Otago's and arguably New Zealand's greatest batsman, scored a then-record 17 first-class centuries for Otago - equalled last year by Otago captain Craig Cumming - while amassing 6028 runs at an average of 59.09.
Sutcliffe died in Auckland in 2001, aged 77, but his ashes were returned to Dunedin to be buried in an urn at Carisbrook.
They rest under the same hallowed turf as the ashes of All Black Charlie Saxton, while others - including former Otago opening batsman Ray Hunt - were also believed to have been scattered on the field.
Yesterday, Mr Dykes said the idea of moving Sutcliffe's ashes was yet to be confirmed, but he imagined relocating them to a plot somewhere on the University Oval ground, with the spot marked by a brass plaque.
"Bert Sutcliffe was a cricket player, and they [his ashes] should be at a cricket ground," he said.
"The University Oval is the home of Otago cricket now, and Bert was our most famous player. If there are ashes, they should rest at the home of Otago Cricket," Mr Dykes said.
The transfer could take place in the next few months, while work to extend the University Oval's boundaries was under way, he said.
Questions about what to do with ashes at Carisbrook were raised in 2006, but have re-emerged as the Dunedin City Council - which bought the ground last year - considers proposals for the venue's future use, ranging from playing fields to a light industrial park.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said he had discussed relocating Sutcliffe's ashes with Mr Dykes, and would support the move.
Mr Reid had also discussed Charlie Saxton's ashes with the All Black's son, Bill Saxton, but no decisions had been made and there was "no particular hurry".
"We are certainly aware of it and we will be respectful of everything we need to do, and work with the families," he said.
Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said Carisbrook was "hallowed ground", and perhaps more so than some people realised.
He had heard unconfirmed reports of families "not infrequently" gaining access to Carisbrook without permission to scatter the ashes of a loved one on the playing surface.
"I have no evidence of that ... but you can imagine, can't you, that possibly that might happen."
