NEW ZEALAND
Eden Park (Auckland)
Since: 1900.
Capacity: 50,000.
World Cup 2015 matches: Semifinals (March 24). Group stages: Australia vs. New Zealand (Feb. 28), South Africa vs. Pakistan (March 7), India vs. Zimbabwe (March 14),
About the venue: New Zealand's premier sports venue which hosted the final of the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cups and the semifinal of the 1992 Cricket World Cup between New Zealand and Pakistan. It was also the central venue of the 1950 British Empire Games and site of New Zealand's first test cricket win, over the West Indies in 1956. The ground is named for nearby Mount Eden, a dormant volcano.
Seddon Park (Hamilton)
Since: 1950
Capacity: 10,000
World Cup 2015 matches: Group stages: South Africa vs. Zimbabwe (Feb. 15), India vs. Ireland (March 10), Bangladesh vs. New Zealand (March 13).
About the venue: Seddon Park is a purpose-built cricket venue situated in New Zealand's fourth-largest city. It has a village green atmosphere, a perfectly round playing area containing a block with nine pitches, surrounded by grassy embankments. Floodlighting was installed in 1999. The ground is named for former New Zealand Prime Minister Richard John Seddon. It first hosted a test match in 1991.
McLean Park (Napier)
Since: 1911
Capacity: 22,500
World Cup 2015 matches: Group stages: Pakistan vs. United Arab Emirates (March 4), New Zealand vs. Afghanistan (March 8), West Indies vs. United Arab Emirates (March 15).
About the venue: A multi-purpose venue which hosts both cricket and rugby as the home of the Central Districts Cricket Association and Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. The ground hosted its first test, between New Zealand and Pakistan, in 1979, and its first one-day international, between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, in 1982. McLean Park is renowned as one of the best batting pitches in New Zealand.
Wellington Regional Stadium
Since: 2000
Capacity: 34,500
World Cup 2015 matches: Quarterfinals (March 21). Group stages: England vs. New Zealand (Feb. 20), England vs. Sri Lanka (March 1), South Africa vs. United Arab Emirates (March 12).
About the venue: Constructed in 2000 amid some local controversy, the Wellington Regional Stadium or Westpac Stadium became Wellington's test rugby venue, replacing Athletic Park. Whilst it hosts one-day internationals, cricket test matches are still played at the Basin Reserve. The stadium, known as the "cake tin" for its circular construction, stands in rail yards close to the Wellington waterfront.
