Hamilton’s Seddon Park will host the two crunch games in the New Zealand domestic T20 cricket competition this season.
The venue – considered one of the world’s premier “boutique” international cricket grounds – will host the preliminary and grand finals of the HRV Twenty20 in January 2014, regardless of which of New Zealand’s six first-class men’s cricket teams qualify.
The preliminary final will be played 17 January, with the grand final on 18 January. The matches will be screened live on Sky Sport.
Sean Murray, Hamilton City Council’s General Manager of Events and Economic Development, says the allocation of the two final matches comes a few weeks after confirmation Hamilton will host three matches as part of ICC Cricket World Cup matches.
“Seddon Park is a purpose-built cricket venue well-equipped with an excellent set of floodlights,” Mr Murray says. “The infrastructure we have in place at the ground meets the needs of TV broadcasters, and our proximity to Auckland – where Sky Sport is based - has been a factor in this decision.”
“It’s exciting news for cricket and the region’s cricket fans.”
New Zealand Cricket is striving to hold more short-format matches at night, and the Northern Districts Cricket Association has struck a successful formula with its “Friday Night Under Lights” marketing campaign for Northern Knights’ HRV Twenty20 games.
Seddon Park is also hosting three preliminary matches in the HRV Twenty20 – Friday 15 and Saturday 16 November, and Friday 10 January.
Seddon Park is also the venue for two matches during the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand this season – a Test match starting on 19 December and a One Day International on 8 January.
