The earthquake-damaged city of Christchurch is facing a fight to hold on to its status as a host city at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Christchurch's Hagley Oval is set to host the first match of the tournament in February 2015 between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, as well as two other games.
However, a $NZ20 million ($A17.81 million) upgrade the ground needs to meet International Cricket Council standards is reliant on approval from the Environment Court.
If the court rules against the upgrade, a new venue will need to be found, probably outside Christchurch.
That would deliver another blow to Christchurch, which hasn't hosted a cricket international since January 2011.
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is convinced the vast majority of New Zealanders would like to see Christchurch handed the international attention that goes with an opening ceremony and first game.
He believes the interest could harness a wave of home support like the New Zealand team enjoyed in 1992, when they last co-hosted with Australia.
Under innovative captain Martin Crowe, the unheralded Black Caps upset Australia in the opening game at Eden Park.
They won seven of their eight games against every other nation to qualify first for the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Pakistan.
"You look at `92 and you look at the leg-up for the New Zealand side from that first game," Fleming said.
"The country got in behind it. This tournament has the ability to capture the imagination."
The views of New Zealand's highest Test run-scorer are shared by its highest wicket-taker.
Sir Richard Hadlee hopes the court clears the way to develop part of the picturesque inner-city park, which will include a grandstand that bears his name.
"Common sense has got to prevail here," Hadlee said.
"It's marvellous for the city, we've had a lot of bad news over the last few years. The people of Christchurch deserve to have international cricket coming back."
The Environment Court ruling is expected on August 9.
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