Cricket: Legend's ashes find new home

Photo / Paul Estcourt

The deeds of one of New Zealand's greatest batsmen will be recalled early next month at Dunedin's University Oval.

A private ceremony will mark the laying of a commemorative plaque and urn containing the ashes of Bert Sutcliffe, who died nine years ago.

The urn is being moved from its home beneath Carisbrook, which is being eased aside as the sporting heart of Dunedin by the development of the new indoor rugby stadium and, across the road, University Oval, the new Otago Cricket headquarters.

"We've talked to the family about it and they're more than happy, and will come down for a little ceremony," said Otago Cricket chief executive Ross Dykes.

The brass plaque will be placed at the entrance to the players tunnel in the main grandstand. It will record the notable achievements of Sutcliffe's outstanding career. He averaged 47 in first-class cricket from 1941-66 and 40 in 42 tests from 1947-65.

The redevelopment of the country's newest test venue is progressing well, with the pitch block extended from five to eight and the boundaries being enlarged from about 58m to 65m.

The pitches are being relaid and in the next couple of months the ground will be sand-slit and the playing surface raised with the intention of having first-class cricket back there from about mid-February.

In the meantime, Otago will use grounds at Queenstown, Invercargill, Alexandra and possibly Oamaru.