Every artist needs a canvas, and for Bert Sutcliffe it was Carisbrook.
The great New Zealand and Otago left-hander might have begun his career in Auckland but his star shone brightest in the South.
In his opening act for the province he scored back-to-back centuries against the mighty MCC, and the adoring Otago public quickly embraced him as their own.
The combination of Sutcliffe's enormous talent and the familiar Carisbrook pitch laid many a bowling attack to waste during an illustrious career.
He scored 4249 runs in 43 first-class games at the venue at an impressive average of 55.90.
He plundered 13 centuries and 17 half centuries. There were many wonderful innings, including a triple century against Auckland in the summer of 1949-50.
Those lucky enough to have witnessed Sutcliffe at the peak of his powers speak of a master who could pick apart the most accomplished attacks with consummate ease.
Sutcliffe died in April 2001.
Some of his ashes were scattered at his beloved Carisbrook and the remainder buried there in a private ceremony later that year.
But with the Otago Cricket Association moving to the University Oval, and the development of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Carisbrook has become obsolete and its future is uncertain.
Otago Cricket approached the Sutcliffe family last year with the idea of relocating Bert's ashes to the University Oval. The family agreed but his ashes proved "as elusive as bowlers found taking his wicket" Gary Sutcliffe said at the time.
No-one can remember exactly where the ashes were interred. The association went ahead with plans to install a commemorative plaque and unveiled it in a ceremony which coincided with the Dunedin book launch of a biography about Sutcliffe's life.
Bert's ashes remain at Carisbrook and the family feels it is still a fitting resting place.
"It was dad's wish that he would love to have his ashes scattered at Carisbrook," Gary Sutcliffe said. "We understood, at the time, that no-one could guarantee the tenure of Carisbrook. Of course, we were disappointed when we heard it was no longer going to be the premier ground.
"I'd love to think Carisbrook will stay as some kind of recreational park or something like that. The thought of dad being buried under a whole lot of concrete in a car park was why we thought about moving his ashes.
"But, at the end of the day, that is where dad wanted his ashes to be laid. That was the place he played so much cricket and got so much enjoyment."
