They might be the new kids on the block in terms of hosting international cricket, but the Bay Cricket Trust is already setting their sights on establishing themselves as a nationally recognised venue.

Last week's two maiden Blackcaps fixtures with South Africa at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval saw the trust's dream of hosting an international one-day international come to fruition after years of planning.

Cricketing fans soaking up the action between the Blackcaps and South Africa at Bay Oval on Friday. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust general manager Kelvin Jones says about 8000 punters came through the gates across both days in what was a 'reasonable” turnout for the Mounts first showing.

'We are certainly happy with it being mid-week games in October,” he says.

'I think it's about establishing ourselves and I think there were a lot of people there that hadn't seen the oval before. Buts it's something to build on from here.”

The Blackcaps might have fallen to defeat in both matches but there has been nothing but positive feedback filtering back to Kelvin and his staff from key stakeholders, including NZ Cricket.

'The external feedback has been excellent,” he adds. 'You always wonder where you could improve and those sorts of thing.

'We are pretty new to this. It's a big event - a lot bigger than anything we have done before - and it's great to get feedback like that.”

Tuesday's attendance of around 2500 was doubled come Friday, with the grass embankment packed with fans in what was hopefully a sign of things to come this summer.

The venue has a full summer schedule ahead of it hosting the Northern Knights in a number of formats, including the grounds' first ever Plunket Shield match, and the White Ferns taking on England on February 11, 13 and 15 in 2015.

Kelvin says it is great to get a big tick of approval after what can only be described as a 'surreal” few days.

'We don't tend to get too star struck,” he adds, 'because we see a lot of the Blackcaps here all the time. But when you see the South African team in particular, it makes it very real for you.

'More importantly, it's great for our community, in particular our kids, to see these players in their own backyard.”

Kelvin says although there are no firm plans for more international cricket, they will be aiming for bigger and better in the future.

He says: 'Our typical strength is around Christmas and New Year - around the holiday time - and we would really like to see games around that time. It could be on the cards.”

Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust general manager Kelvin Jones.