KEY POINTS:
Auckland Cricket was last night contemplating the sweet and the sour after news of a likely new national stadium on the waterfront.
One of the most affected parties of the planned Eden Park redevelopment, the cricket association will, in all probability, now remain at its 100-year-old HQ and continue to bid for one-day internationals and test matches.
If the Government had instead backed Eden Park, the ground's trustees had arranged to recompense Auckland to the rumoured sum of $20 million, and the cricketers were to relocate to an alternative first-class venue - such as Western Springs.
Auckland Cricket chairman Brent King said yesterday that a successful waterfront proposal would mean business as usual at Eden Park for his association, and the continuation of a century-long tradition.
However, he said he was disappointed with the Government's decision to favour a waterfront proposal over Eden Park, calling the move a betrayal of the good faith earlier shown by the trustees.
"The simple fact is that the Rugby World Cup wouldn't have been awarded to New Zealand if Eden Park hadn't got out on a limb to help," said King. "They should be recompensed for every penny spent.
"Administrators in both Auckland Cricket and rugby have spent thousands of man-hours trying to make this work, and they deserve their money back.
"Eden Park, in absolute good faith, undertook to support the 2011 World Cup bid and the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Government led them along to the extent of millions of dollars of planning.
"I think it's very disappointing that they've made this decision now - more than a year later."
However, he said that while taxpayers would inevitably end up holding the baby if the waterfront proposal went ahead, Auckland Cricket wouldn't be hurt by the decision.
"Eden Park continues as an entity - as a trust with obligations to act in the best interests of Auckland Cricket and Auckland rugby, and nothing changes, really.
"We'll continue to make ourselves a viable option for all internationals, including one-dayers, tests and provincial matches. We also think Eden Park will be a more appropriate venue for ODIs than a 60,000-seat stadium."
King said the biggest question now involved not Auckland Cricket, but the sustainability of demand for a 60,000-seat stadium.
"How many events have we had in Auckland this year that have attracted more than a 30,000-strong crowd? Maybe one?
"There's a demand issue there that's been left out of the question."
