Cricket officials are seeking to turn Christchurch's Hagley Oval into an international test venue.
Canterbury Cricket said today it had joined with New Zealand Cricket and V Base to present a submission to Christchurch City Council for it to consider the proposal.
Canterbury Cricket chief executive Lee Germon said a number of venues had been explored to provide a new home for Canterbury Cricket and Hagley Oval was the stand-out option.
"Its long cricket history, picturesque setting and central location set it apart as a test venue," he said.
"We want to build a cricket oval that maintains the green space and feel of Hagley Oval as a boutique cricket ground. It will be a cricket oval not an entertainment venue, with AMI Stadium continuing to host international one-day and twenty20 internationals." Germon said those pushing for the venue envisaged low grass embankments and sympathetic refurbishment of the existing buildings for facilities and to house Canterbury Cricket's offices.
"When the grounds were not being used for cricket matches they would remain open to public access," he said.
