Hagley Oval Unscathed From Quake

Christchurch's Hagley Oval is ready for the final test match of the New Zealand summer.

A green wicket is being prepared for the second test between New Zealand and Australia starting on Saturday.

Groundsman Rupert Bool said the ground has come through the weekend's quake unscathed.

"We're worried about our irrigation system more than anything, but that seems to have come through well."

Bool said he was "actually on the roller at the time, and it bounced the roller around a bit, so we just gave it a few extra passes and I think there will be no dramas at all."

He's hoping Christchurch's wicket will stay greener for longer than in the first test in Wellington.

A lively wicket turned dead within a day in Australia's win over the Black Caps in the capital.

Bool said the different soil may be a factor, but the weather doesn't look like it'll burn the grass off quicker throughout the second test.

The ground staff have resisted the temptation to say their own unique farewell to Brendon McCullum, in his last match before international retirement.

Bool admits his team are huge fans of McCullum, with a life-size poster from the World Cup hanging in their shed, but he hasn't prepared anything too special for the occasion.

"I'm sure he wouldn't want that, he just wants to get out there and enjoy his last game as much as he can."

"Hopefully he can come off like he did this time last year in the opening game of the World Cup."

Radio Sport