“Preparations for the Test are going ahead, but we are continuing to monitor the situation”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have confirmed that the first Test between the Black Caps and New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch will proceed as scheduled despite the two powerful earthquakes that rocked the city.

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the area just after midnight on Monday, while a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the city at approximately 1.30pm on the same day.

Even though aftershocks are continued to be felt until next week, NZC have no plans to cancel the first Test as of yet.

“Preparations for the Test are going ahead, but we are continuing to monitor the situation,” an NZC spokesman said. “It’s just a case of staying in touch with authorities.”

The Pakistan team were in Nelson when the 7.5 magnitude quake hit, and while they were unharmed, they were reported to be shaken by the incident. In fact, they were made to evacuate their hotel and opted to stay in the reception rather than go back to their rooms.

“For us it was something new because we don’t have many earthquakes in Pakistan,” Pakistan team manager Wasim Bari said. “This was a pretty strong one. We’d just finished watching the India-England match and the doors and windows were going from one side to another as if they were made of paper. There was some trauma as well for the boys. Back home, the families had felt disturbed.”

Both teams are now in Christchurch, but New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry, who had been in the city when the first earthquake hit admitted that it had been “a bit scary”.

“It always brings the community together – provides a brief moment of normality,” Henry said. “It’s probably good timing to have the Test match this week. Hopefully the weather plays it’s part.”