The arena has been scalped, excavated, leveled, and had irrigation drainage and cable channels laid in advance of the Games in 15 months’ time, reports the Herald Sun.
The gravel base for an athletics track already lies beneath the new grass.
After the 2005 AFL Grand Final, the track base will be exposed, two layers of asphalt laid and then the rubber track will go down.
All this will be covered for the cricket with final work, including marking the track, continuing after next year's Boxing Day Test match.
The 95,000 stadium can be handed over to Melbourne 2006 organisers as late as February 14, 2006 - one month from the opening ceremony.
