It took ten seconds to devastate Christchurch. At 12.51 pm on 22 February 2011, an earthquake struck. In its ferocity it claimed 185 lives, and irrevocably transformed the city. They say that it will take 20 years for Christchurch to properly recover, something no one strolling around the city would dispute. The earthquake has left an indelible mark and permanently changed Christchurch’s fabric.
When it was announced that the 11th Cricket World Cup would begin in Christchurch, a sumptuous, sweltering day was envisaged. Instead Christchurch got only a miserable, drizzly downcast day. Those sitting on the banks had to keep themselves warm by resorting to winter coats, blanks, ample booze or, in a few cases, all three. And who could blame them? It was 12 degrees Celsius.
But no matter. In its own modest way, hosting the opening game of the World Cup was a step towards normalcy returning to Christchurch. Even locals with no interest in cricket speak of their thrill of the city earning the accolade; if nothing else, the three World Cup games here will provide Christchurch with a valuable influx of tourism.
New life
Four years ago, the Hagley Oval was a picturesque club ground in the middle of Hagley Park. On some weekends the field hosted as many as four club games simultaneously. The two slight clubhouses, square of the wicket, stand as a relic to those days: with Lancaster Park established as Christchurch’s dominant cricket venue, the Hagley Oval only hosted the occasional first-class game.
Everything changed on 22 February 2011. Just 24 days after it had last hosted a one-day international, Lancaster Park was damaged beyond all repair. Christchurch was in need of a new international cricket ground – and swiftly, if it was to host games in the World Cup.
In many ways the Hagley Oval was the obvious choice: picturesque; near the city centre; and with abundant space for extra seating. But some resisted the move to make it into an international ground, fearing that it could damage the spectacle of Hagley Park. The redevelopment plans were only approved after getting the go-ahead from the Environment Court, subject to conditions restricting the number of days a year that temporary stands could be put up for. Even then the fear remained that the redevelopment would not be completed in time for the World Cup.
Charming ground
Happily it was. In a world of sprawling, increasingly identikit stadia, the Hagley Oval is a ground of rare intimacy and charm. If the MCG, which hosted Australia against England, resembles a Roman Coliseum, the Hagley Oval invokes comparisons with idyllic English outgrounds. World Cup or no World Cup, fielders in the deep sign autographs between deliveries. Thousands of spectators enjoyed the day lying on the banks or in their deckchairs. It did not feel much like the start of the second most watched single sport event on earth. With the chill adding to the understated feel of the day, gizmos like the zing bails felt rather incongruous.
For the 17,228 spectators who combined to sell the ground out, the cricket provided entertainment enough. The build-up to the tournament has been marked by the transformation of the New Zealand team, in the eyes of the cricketing world, from solid citizens into being hailed as among the three favourites for the World Cup crown.
On this evidence, it is a tag they wear lightly. Aptly it was Brendon McCullum, New Zealand’s skipper, talisman and a resident of Christchurch to boot, who set the victory up. His very first ball was dispatched over the covers for four with a swagger normally reserved for centurions. The next delivery he faced ended up in a similar place, only along the ground rather than the air.
Small consolation
McCullum’s duel with Lasith Malinga came to define the game. From Malinga’s fourth over, McCullum harvested 22 runs, including the most emphatic of straight sixes. The owner of one of the world’s most feared yorkers was emasculated; at times it was hard to discern Malinga’s slower deliveries from his normal ones. McCullum reaped 28 runs from 12 Malinga balls. The only consolation for Malinga, just back from ankle surgery, is there is still over a month to go until the knockout stages of the tournament begin.
As blistering as McCullum’s hand was, it would be trumped by Corey Anderson. A native of Christchurch, he thumped 75 off 46 balls in a display of clinical brutality. Built like a juggernaut, Anderson later described the New Zealand side as one. They are not playing, or talking, like the unobtrusive Kiwi outfit we have been engendered to expect.
It fell to Anderson to wrap up a 98-run win, when Rangana Herath slapped his left-arm seam to cover. In that instant, the whole ground was united in saluting a moment that seemed to transcend cricket. Even if only a little, cricket had helped Christchurch on its road to recovery. And it had provided a welcome antidote to an age when the sport invites such cynicism.
Tim Wigmore is among the authors of The Second XI, a new book on associate cricket, which includes contributions from Gideon Haigh.
When it was announced that the 11th Cricket World Cup would begin in Christchurch, a sumptuous, sweltering day was envisaged. Instead Christchurch got only a miserable, drizzly downcast day. Those sitting on the banks had to keep themselves warm by resorting to winter coats, blanks, ample booze or, in a few cases, all three. And who could blame them? It was 12 degrees Celsius.
But no matter. In its own modest way, hosting the opening game of the World Cup was a step towards normalcy returning to Christchurch. Even locals with no interest in cricket speak of their thrill of the city earning the accolade; if nothing else, the three World Cup games here will provide Christchurch with a valuable influx of tourism.
New life
Four years ago, the Hagley Oval was a picturesque club ground in the middle of Hagley Park. On some weekends the field hosted as many as four club games simultaneously. The two slight clubhouses, square of the wicket, stand as a relic to those days: with Lancaster Park established as Christchurch’s dominant cricket venue, the Hagley Oval only hosted the occasional first-class game.
Everything changed on 22 February 2011. Just 24 days after it had last hosted a one-day international, Lancaster Park was damaged beyond all repair. Christchurch was in need of a new international cricket ground – and swiftly, if it was to host games in the World Cup.
In many ways the Hagley Oval was the obvious choice: picturesque; near the city centre; and with abundant space for extra seating. But some resisted the move to make it into an international ground, fearing that it could damage the spectacle of Hagley Park. The redevelopment plans were only approved after getting the go-ahead from the Environment Court, subject to conditions restricting the number of days a year that temporary stands could be put up for. Even then the fear remained that the redevelopment would not be completed in time for the World Cup.
Charming ground
Happily it was. In a world of sprawling, increasingly identikit stadia, the Hagley Oval is a ground of rare intimacy and charm. If the MCG, which hosted Australia against England, resembles a Roman Coliseum, the Hagley Oval invokes comparisons with idyllic English outgrounds. World Cup or no World Cup, fielders in the deep sign autographs between deliveries. Thousands of spectators enjoyed the day lying on the banks or in their deckchairs. It did not feel much like the start of the second most watched single sport event on earth. With the chill adding to the understated feel of the day, gizmos like the zing bails felt rather incongruous.
For the 17,228 spectators who combined to sell the ground out, the cricket provided entertainment enough. The build-up to the tournament has been marked by the transformation of the New Zealand team, in the eyes of the cricketing world, from solid citizens into being hailed as among the three favourites for the World Cup crown.
On this evidence, it is a tag they wear lightly. Aptly it was Brendon McCullum, New Zealand’s skipper, talisman and a resident of Christchurch to boot, who set the victory up. His very first ball was dispatched over the covers for four with a swagger normally reserved for centurions. The next delivery he faced ended up in a similar place, only along the ground rather than the air.
Small consolation
McCullum’s duel with Lasith Malinga came to define the game. From Malinga’s fourth over, McCullum harvested 22 runs, including the most emphatic of straight sixes. The owner of one of the world’s most feared yorkers was emasculated; at times it was hard to discern Malinga’s slower deliveries from his normal ones. McCullum reaped 28 runs from 12 Malinga balls. The only consolation for Malinga, just back from ankle surgery, is there is still over a month to go until the knockout stages of the tournament begin.
As blistering as McCullum’s hand was, it would be trumped by Corey Anderson. A native of Christchurch, he thumped 75 off 46 balls in a display of clinical brutality. Built like a juggernaut, Anderson later described the New Zealand side as one. They are not playing, or talking, like the unobtrusive Kiwi outfit we have been engendered to expect.
It fell to Anderson to wrap up a 98-run win, when Rangana Herath slapped his left-arm seam to cover. In that instant, the whole ground was united in saluting a moment that seemed to transcend cricket. Even if only a little, cricket had helped Christchurch on its road to recovery. And it had provided a welcome antidote to an age when the sport invites such cynicism.
Tim Wigmore is among the authors of The Second XI, a new book on associate cricket, which includes contributions from Gideon Haigh.
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