Gerry Brownlee bats for renewed Hagley Oval

Gerry Brownlee gives the Hagley Oval his best swing. Photo / Supplied

Amid a brace of political resignations today, Gerry Brownlee took a cricket bat to a Cabinet colleague.

The Earthquake Recovery Minister and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman enjoyed a game on the champagne turf of the redeveloped Hagley Oval just 15 days before the Christchurch ground hosts the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Canterbury schoolchildren from Springston and Ohoka were dressed in the shirts of the six teams who will play at Hagley Oval during the tournament and fielded during the parliamentary match-up.

Having successfully hosted the Boxing Day test and a One Day International (ODI) earlier this month, the picturesque ground has now more than doubled its capacity to 18,500 with 11,500 temporary seats being brought in.

Mr Brownlee and Dr Coleman today met with tournament organisers and inspected the ground.

"Hagley Oval has undergone a huge transformation in recent weeks to make the grounds match-fit for the opening game. You couldn't get a better cricket ground in the world," Dr Coleman said.

Christchurch hosts the tournament's opening ceremony, starring Sol3 Mio, Ginny Blackmore, and Hayley Westenra, on February 12.

On Valentine's Day, two days later, the tournament starts for real with the in-form Black Caps taking on Sri Lanka - a match that has been sold out for months.

Therese Walsh, head of New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, today said the only Black Caps match not yet sold out is the game against Afghanistan in Napier on March 8.

However, she is certain it will also sell out, while tickets to all other matches are available but selling fast.

The Government, which has invested $10 million into holding the event co-hosted with Australia, is expecting 30,000-40,000 visitors to New Zealand during the tournament.

"With a television audience of over a billion people it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Christchurch to the world," said Dr Coleman.

"It's a great platform to promote New Zealand and all that we offer in this country.

Hagley Oval will host three matches, including the opening game, Scotland vs England, and Pakistan vs West Indies.

Along with the 11,500 temporary seats that have been installed, two hospitality marquees have been erected.

To help accommodate more than 1,000 accredited international media, broadcast towers and additional studios, sight-screens, camera platforms, a press box and a video screen platform have been installed at the ground.