New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 2nd Test at Christchurch: An enthralling contest to facilitate quake-hit city’s rehabilitation

New Zealand‘s most earthquake-prone region of Christchurch had barely recovered from one earthquake dating back to 2011, when the grind of earth’s crust afflicted the region again at a scale of 5.7, barely a week before the second Test between New Zealand and Australia. After elaborate deliberations, the management has seen no harm in going ahead with the Test. The match is one of great significance, marking Brendon McCullum’s farewell Black Cap fixture. The timing of the match comes in a manner such that it could alleviate the psychological scars of the Christchurchians… again! RELATED: Jesse Ryder: Cricket’s 21st-century cult hero

For people in Christchurch earthquakes have become a common occurrence. It has reached a stage where the gentle citizens from there are almost indifferent to the earth’s rumbles that show a partiality towards their territory. Following the previous quake, which was a far greater tragedy consuming 185 lives in it’s unreasonable fury, the city was left without significant sporting events. RELATED: Brendon McCullum retirement: Indian masses being denied broadcast for farewell series is baffling

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The disaster had wrecked the sporting hub of the city called Lancaster Park, where big-ticket rugby and cricket games were a common occurrence. Following its destruction, the city got no big games for three long years. ALSO READ: New Zealand need a Jesse Ryder to cope in aftermath of Brendon McCullum retirement

It was the vision of Canterbury cricket boss Lee Germon that enabled the city to regain it’s sporting charm. The vision materialised in form of the Hagley Oval. Germon and his team fought numerous cases and put in extreme efforts to see the plan come to fruition. The fruits of their efforts acquired it’s sweetest flavour when the ground hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 opener between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The game in itself was a massive achievement and a great way to overcome those scars, that the home team won was only a bonus.

Now, exactly a year since the day — Valentine’s Day — of the heart-warming game, nature displayed it’s twisted side again. Fortunately, this time no lives were taken. However, there was destruction of property and the reopening of mental scars.

Hagley Oval was left unscathed and since there were no casualties, it was decided to go ahead with the match. Yet again, cricket brings the promise of healing the wounds of the people who have suffered a lot.

Sport is a means of promoting community and given the significance of the Test, it holds that much greater value. People will have another chance to come together and try and put the undesirable happenings behind them.

It is McCullum’s farewell Test and it is against the rival New Zealand loves to hate; their Trans-Tasman neighbours.  New Zealand are trailing one down and this match provides an opportunity for the home team to level the series in front of a crowd seeking inspiration. Even this time around, in the greater scheme of things, the result of the match is of less importance than its very occurrence. If New Zealand win, it will only be a bonus!

(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)