Cricket World Cup staff are on their first concentrated reconnaissance mission in Dunedin ahead of the 2015 tournament.
The staff, including Cricket World Cup operations manager and former New Zealand medium pace bowler Gavin Larsen, were spotted at the University Oval yesterday but declined to comment when approached by the Otago Daily Times.
However, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes said the venue had made a good first impression.
''I think they were pretty impressed with what they've seen - the way it is a true cricket ground. A lot of things they want are already here,'' Dykes said.
''A nice day always helps.''
The group inspected everything from broadcast facilities, pitch conditions and changing rooms to accommodation.
They leave Dunedin today.
Craig Morton, who was the event manager for the southern region at the Rugby World Cup, has been appointed the event manager for the games in Dunedin, and will also oversee games in Hamilton.
He will be based in Wellington from March next year.
The University Oval is hosting three pool A games, including the Black Caps on February 17 and Sri Lanka, which won the tournament in 1996, on February 22. Their opponents are still unknown. The remaining game is between two associate members.
The Black Caps have a proud record at the World Cup. While New Zealand has never won the tournament, it has reached the semifinal stage on six occasions, including in 2011, when it was eliminated by Sri Lanka.
The last time the tournament was jointly held in New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand enjoyed a golden run. It won seven of its eight round-robin games but was tipped out in the semifinal when Inzamam-ul-Haq whacked 60 from 37 deliveries to help put Pakistan into the final.
New Zealand has played two one-day internationals and five tests at the University Oval and remains undefeated. Three tests have been drawn, of course, but it has been a pretty successful ground for the home side.
