Cricket: Domestic hopes for pitch next summer

Hamilton's much-maligned pitch could be used for domestic cricket next season.

Fears that Westpac Park might be out of action for a couple of seasons appear to be premature, with Northern Districts chief executive David Cooper yesterday expressing the hope that it will be ready for play later this year.

Work has already started on removing about 10cm of clay from the block. "The base below that is probably one of the best in the country," said Cooper.

"We hope to have all this work completed before winter in the hope we will get good spring growth and be ready to play next summer."

The ground has not been used since coming under fire during last month's match between the Black Caps and the Rest of the World Xl.