They're now calling it the `miracle on Wellington Slip Road'.

Earlier this year, the sceptics were doubting whether Wellington Oval would be restored in time for next week's Cup Match classic.

Others even ventured as far as to say the annual contest would be held in the west end again this summer.

However, through a combination of hard work, determination and a lot of help from mother nature, it's now all systems go at east end.

The playing surface at the ground suffered severe damaged after more than 500 truck loads of rubble was left on the pitch following a moto-cross event last December.

But said an obviously delighted St.George's Cricket Club president Neil Paynter: "We are ready!"

"The main thing was obtaining the right people to get the job done," he explained.

"I always had the confidence in the people that were going do provide their assistance. Once we achieved that, it was then just a matter of having faith in them to do the job."

Having to also to tend to matters both inside and around the club itself was also no easy task.

"As far as for getting the club ready for Cup Match . . . this is something that goes on every two years.

"It was just that this year we also had the task of getting the field itself ready," he noted. "So it was a bit more challenging. We have had some help, perhaps not as much help as we would have liked, but I'm thankful to have had what little we did receive."

However, having gone through the pain of seeing his field put out of commission, surprisingly, Paynter insists he wouldn't hesitate to do it all again - though he admitted things would certainly be done differently.

"Everyday you learn something, and I wouldn't sit here and say that I wouldn't do it again because my thing is about doing things for the entire community," he said. "And whatever can benefit the community and the club, then I'm all for it.

"But the club would have to look at it closely in a more microscopic manner."