Fibre internet aids Saxton Oval in contest for cricket

Nelson Cricket is hoping more international games may come to Saxton Oval now fibre internet to the wicket is being installed.

A lack of fibre was one of two main hurdles that Nelson Cricket general manager George Vance said was holding the venue back.

‘‘With the change in broadcasting technology over the years, that is a service that is not there currently,’’ he said. ‘‘It is a competitive process to get international cricket. We have one of the best facilities in New Zealand . . . But there are things we can do to make us more competitive in that process.’’

Connecting the wickets to fibre internet allows broadcasters to use stump mikes and cameras when they cover matches, and enables umpires to make in-game decisions using optical tracking systems.

The other barrier for Saxton Field is the lack of camera towers at either end of the oval. ‘‘What we have done in the past is have temporary scaffolding towers . . . it adds an extra significant cost for each televised fixture.’’

Vance outlined these hurdles to the Saxton Field Committee – a joint committee of two councillors each from Nelson City and Tasman District councils chaired by independent member Derek Shaw – alongside other Nelson Cricket members at the beginning of May. Since then, the committee has committed to installing fibre to the wicket before the summer cricket season begins.

‘‘That is really positive for Nelson,’’ Vance said. ‘‘International cricket and hosting major events are a very tangible way to unite the community by bringing people together to share a nice day out.

‘‘So we, along with the councils, are doing everything we can to be competitive and make that happen.’’

He added that the summer fixtures would be live free-to-air through a new partnership with TVNZ.

Andrew White, Nelson City Council’s group manager of community services, said the two councils were keen to see more international cricket matches at Saxton, which will have significant financial benefits for the region. He confirmed the expected cost of installing the fibre would be minimal due to the supporting infrastructure already being in place.

Funding is set aside for the 2028/29 financial year to further expand Saxton Oval’s facilities, such as installing permanent media towers.

Vance added that all parties involved, including Central District Cricket, the Nelson Regional Development Agency and the two councils, had been ‘‘really supportive and really proactive’’ at working to get international games to the region.

Nelson Cricket and Central Districts have now launched a bid to host some international men’s and women’s cricket games in the upcoming season.