Cricket: Hamilton pitch ruled fit for test

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has given Hamilton's Westpac Park its international warrant of fitness.

The ground, which has a new pitch block of South Island Waikari clay, needed final approval to hold the test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand starting on January 15.

It was assessed on its performance in the opening State Championship match between Northern Districts and Auckland earlier this month.

While the match lasted only three of the scheduled four days, an NZC spokesman said the warrant had been approved.

Northern Districts chief executive David Cooper said he never doubted the ground would be up to the mark.

"It's certainly probably played better than what we would have expected," he said.

"Day two against Auckland it was as good a batting surface as you would expect at first-class level."

Cooper said the pitch would get better with age.

"We want to ensure the venue is as good or better than anywhere in the country," he said.

"At the moment it's not but that's a consequence of the work during the winter and it takes time."

Sri Lanka will get a look at the block when they play their a one-dayer against Northern Districts here on Thursday.

- NZPA