Cricket: University ground returned to first-class venue

Slip the roast beef sandwiches into the picnic basket and get ready to unfold the rug on the lush grass embankment. There are assurances Colin Maiden Park (CMP) will be ready in time for Auckland's domestic cricket season.

The ground replaces Eden Park outer oval while the Rugby World Cup is a work in progress. CMP will return as a first-class venue in the fourth round of the Plunket Shield when Auckland hosts Northern Districts from December 3. Mark Perham will have at least five of his grounds staff on the job as they prepare to all but vacate the Eden Park precinct.

"The Outer Oval looks more like a junk yard, we move out of our office next week and the sheds get demolished in about three weeks," said the Auckland provincial groundsman. "We'll be living out of shipping containers."

The wicket block at the reconditioned CMP is made up of Patumahoe soil, the same composition as the Eden Park number two ground.

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