History

Hagley Oval’s destiny as the historical and spiritual home of cricket in Canterbury was determined in the first days of a new and flourishing Christchurch.

Our beginnings

Cricket in Canterbury had a natural birth. The settlement in 1850 was a planned reproductions of a piece of England in a strange land 12,000 miles away. It was a church-based design, but the bat went with the bible, for if there was to be another England, there most certainly had to be cricket.

– R.T. Brittenden, Great Days in New Zealand Cricket, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1958, pp. 33-38.

Just six months after the arrival of the first four ships, the settlers to this far flung land had formed their very own cricket club. Only months later, as part of Founders’ Day celebrations on 16 December 1851, an enthusiastic game ensured the verdant roots of cricket, and those of the city’s settlers, were well and truly laid.

Hagley Oval has since been identified and documented as the cornerstone of Canterbury and New Zealand cricketing activity. During the early decades the Oval hosted a series of inter-provincial matches, as well as the occasional international fixture. It continues to host all grades of cricket, including women’s internationals and under age, and the ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup itself is set to feature matches at Hagley Oval.

The careers of a whole succession of cricket’s local heroes, including Sir Richard Hadlee have played at Hagley Oval. It will undoubtedly launch the careers of our aspiring cricket heroes of tomorrow.

The ground pays tribute to the cricket history in Canterbury and also provides an exciting opportunity for the future of Canterbury and New Zealand Cricket.

The Return to Hagley Oval

Cricket and rugby shared Lancaster Park from post World War I until well into the 1990’s. By that stage the extended rugby season was encroaching onto cricket’s traditional international window in February and March.

As early as 1998 Canterbury Cricket recognised the need for a purpose built cricket ground for international and provincial cricket. A return to Hagley Oval was investigated and in 2006/7 the Canterbury Cricket Association determined to prioritise it as its preferred venue. The Canterbury Cricket Trust was established and the Hagley Pavilion designs were developed by early 2011.

Key milestones

A History of Cricket in Canterbury

Time line of events (Hagley Oval Development)

Resource consent

CCA CEO Lee Germon told the Environment Court hearing that the development of Hagley Oval would be a great way to enhance and celebrate Canterbury’s cricketing past.

After 17 days of hearings and over 200 submissions, on the 13th of August, the Environment Court granted resource consent for the development with strict conditions attached.

SOD turning

On the 17th of December 2013, ground was broken on the offical site. This was the starting point for the development of Hagley Oval and the Hadlee Pavilion. There were many dignitaries present including Sir Richard Hadlee.

The ground was broken by the Hon. Gerry Brownlee and former New Zealand Prime Minister, the Right Hon. John Key.

Oval / Embankment construction

In January 2014, construction began of the grass embankment. Bulk excavation and contouring were carried out to reshape the area around the playing field.

The goal was to create gentle, sweeping slopes to offer clear sightlines for spectators seated on the grass. Earth removed from other parts of the precinct was reused to help form the embankments, making it a sustainable process.

Effective subsurface drainage was critical due to Christchurch’s variable weather and the need to keep the embankment dry and firm. A comprehensive drainage network was installed beneath the surface to channel water away quickly and prevent pooling. After shaping and drainage, the surface was covered with high-quality topsoil. A special grass blend was sown—hardy, fast-growing turf that could withstand foot traffic and variable weather conditions.

Hadlee Pavilion Construction

The Pavilion was designed by Trevor Watt from Athfield Architects.

In February, Southbase construction began work on the Pavilion, pouring over 120 square metres of concrete, laying the foundation for the two-tier pavilion. The building was built with a steel and concrete framework.

Construction started in February 2014 and was completed in September 2014.

Hadlee Pavilion Grand Opening

On Monday, 15 September 2014, The Pavilion was officially opened.

The opening ceremony was attended by then-Prime Minister John Key, former Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Sir Richard Hadlee, and around 150 guests.

On the 23rd of December, the building was officially named the Hadlee Pavilion to commemorate the site of the original Hadlee Pavilion on Hagley Oval and the Hadlee family’s outstanding contribution to cricket.

Light Tower Construction

In December 2019, Hagley Oval was granted Ministerial approval under the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act to install six 49 m high lights.

In May 2020, the Christchurch City Council approved a $1 million loan to fund the lights.

In November 2020, Installation of the towers was completed, making Hagley Oval the only South Island cricket ground with broadcast‑quality floodlights with the final tower was raised in the morning of 21 November.

Turning on the lights

The lights were turned on for the first time in December 2020. The first official match played under them was a double-header showdown when the Canterbury Magicians vs Central Hinds, and Canterbury Kings vs Central Stags took the field on January 10 2021.

Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre Construction

‍In 1989 the Hagley Park Sports Centre was sold by Canterbury Cricket to the Canterbury Horticultural Society and renamed the Canterbury Horticultural Hall.

In 2007 the Canterbury Cricket Trust purchased it back off the Horticultural Society.

After years of fundraising, the old Horticultural Hall was demolished and construction began in July 2021 of the new sports centre began.

Sir Richard Hadlee Grand Opening

On May 24th 2022, the much anticipated Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre was officially opened by then Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel.

The total cost of the project was $4.75M with all funds being privately donated or funded through generous grants from our funding partners.

The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre sits on the same site as the original Hagley Park Sports Centre which opened back in 1968.

Construction Photos

Bell Ringing

2023 welcomed the introduction of a new tradition for Hagley Oval. Inspired by the ringing of the bell at Lord’s Cricket Ground to signal start of play, Hagley Oval has replicated this simple but symbolic gesture, for every International match hosted at our ground.

In a partnership which The Canterbury Museum’s century-old Antarctic brass bell now rings at every International match played out on Hagley Oval to mark the start of play.

About the Bell

The Historic bell came from the SY Morning steam yacht, which was used as a relief vessel on Robert Falcon Scott’s British National Antarctic maiden expedition (1901–1904). Formerly used for whaling in the North Polar region, the ship was built in 1871. The Morning made two relief voyages to Antarctica – one in January 1903 and a second in January 1904 – carrying a cargo of food and equipment.

Ōtautahi Christchurch has always had a significant and longstanding connection to Antarctica, rooted in its status as an Antarctic Gateway.

The bell has been restored and kindly provided by the Canterbury Museum. The Canterbury Museum is currently closed for refurbishment, this is an opportunity for the museum to showcase different museum items in the community.

The bell brings two organisations, Canterbury Cricket Trust and the Canterbury Museum, working together to celebrate history, connect the community with Canterbury’s rich Antarctic heritage, and enhance the matchday experience at Hagley Oval. It also serves as a way to honour past players and significant personalities, inviting them to ring the historic bell and signal the start of play.

Previous Bell Ringers

2024/5 Season

Craig McMillan

Blackcaps v Pakistan
- 16th March 2025

Craig is a former Canterbury and Blackcap batting all-rounder. He played for Canterbury from 1994 through to 2010 and the Blackcaps from 1997 through to 2007.

Erin Birmingham

White Ferns v Sri Lanka - 16th March 2025

Erin is a former Canterbury and White Ferns spin bowler. She played for Canterbury from 2006 through to 2024 and the White Ferns from 2010 through to 2017.

Amy Satterthwaite

White Ferns v Sri Lanka - 14th March 2025

Amy is a former Canterbury and White Ferns all-rounder. She played for Canterbury from 2003 through to 2023 and the White Ferns from 2007 through to 2022 with 104 caps.

David Gower

Blackcaps v England Day 4
- 1st December 2024

David is a former English Cricketer turned Cricket Commentator. He played 117 Test Matches and 114 ODI's for England, debuting in 1978 and played up until 1992. David was one of the commentators who was calling the Test Match.

David Gower

Greg Barcley

Blackcaps v England Day 3
- 30th November 2024

Greg is a Canadian-NZ sports administrator who served as Chairman of the ICC from 2020 to 2024 and Chairman of the NZ Cricket Board from 2016 to 2020. The ringing of the bell was his last act as ICC Chairman.

David Gower

Richard Collinge

Blackcaps v England Day 2
- 29th November 2024

Richard is a former NZ cricketer who played 35 Tests and 15 ODIs for NZ from 1965 to 1978. He was involved in the first NZ side to beat England in a Test Match and was honoured to ring the bell as a representative of the winning side.

David Gower

Iona Thomas

Her Excellency, British High Commissioner

Blackcaps v England Day 1
- 28th November 2024

Iona is a British diplomat who serves as the British High Commissioner to New Zealand and the Governor of Pitcairn. She took office in August 2022.

2023/4 Season

Southee & Williamson Families

Blackcaps v Australia Day 4
- 11th March 2024

Tim Southee's parents Murray and Joanne, along with Kane Williamson's parents, Brett and Sandra, were delighted to ring the bell on their sons behalfs to celebrate the incredible achievement of both reaching 100 Test Matches for NZ.

Jayna Wadswort

Blackcaps v Australia Day 3
- 10th March 2024

Jayna is the daughter of Ken Wadsworth, former NZ cricketer who hit the winning runs in NZ’s first Test win over Australia at Lancaster Park in 1974. He was also the first wicketkeeper to score an ODI century before his death in 1976 at age 29.

Dayle Hadlee

Blackcaps v Australia Day 2 - 9th March 2024

Dayle is a New Zealand former cricketer who played in 26 Tests and 11 ODIs from 1969 to 1978. Dayle represented Canterbury from 1969 to 1984. Dayle was an opening bowler and useful batsman in the lower order.

Sir Richard Hadlee

Blackcaps v Australia Day 1
- 8th March 2024

Sir Richard is a former Canterbury and NZ cricketer, widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers, taking 431 wickets in 86 Tests and becoming the first to pass 400. Knighted in 1990 for services to cricket, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

Lesley Murdoch

Blackcaps v Pakistan
-21st January 2024

Lesley is a former cricketer and field hockey player. From 1979 to 1990 she played 6 Tests and 25 ODIs for NZ and represented Canterbury domestically from 1975 to 1991. She was also in the NZ Women’s Hockey team at the 1984 Olympics. She is now a Sky TV commentator.

Stephen Boock

Blackcaps v Pakistan
-19th January 2024

Stephen played 30 Tests and 14 ODIs for NZ between 1978 and 1989, and domestic cricket for Canterbury and Otago from 1973 to 1990. He was NZ Cricket President from 2012 to 2016 and was appointed an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.

Debbie Hockley

White Ferns v Pakistan
-18th December 2023

Between 1979 and 2000, Debbie appeared in 19 Test matches for New Zealand, with a high score of 126 not out. She also appeared in 118 ODIs, captaining 27 of them. She was the first woman to reach 4000 ODI runs and to play 100 ODIs.

Elizabeth Signal

White Ferns v Pakistan
-15th December 2023

Elizabeth (Liz) is a former NZ cricketer and right-arm medium bowler. She played 6 Tests and 19 ODIs from 1984 -1988 for Central Districts. Her twin sister Rose also played for NZ; they were the first twins to play Test cricket together. Debbie was the inaugural bell ringer.