It's only 17 days until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 begins and this week in Wellington is the perfect chance for BLACKCAPS fans to see the team in action ahead of the global showpiece.
The BLACKCAPS will play six pool matches throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup in Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland, Napier and Hamilton with five out of six of the venues already sold out.
For all of the BLACKCAPS fans who missed out on tournament tickets, New Zealand Cricket has come up with a special deal for this week’s ODIs in Wellington.
Cricket fans from the capital can purchase tickets for the final match against Sri Lanka (Thursday January 29) and against Pakistan (Saturday January 31) for only $40 by signing up for Priority Ticketing. That's a saving of $10 over the regular price for the two tickets.
BLACKCAPS Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott said there is nothing like playing at Westpac Stadium when there is a great crowd.
“It is massive,” said Anderson, who was the ANZ Man of the Match in the sixth ANZ ODI in Dunedin.
“We have got two games at Westpac Stadium this week. It is two for $40 and it is going to be a pretty good spectacle. The series is already wrapped up, but it is always pretty good cricket here in Wellington. I guess if they have been watching on TV they would have seen that the boys are playing particularly well. We’re in the build-up to the World Cup and tickets are pretty hard to get so this is perfect chance for BLACKCAPS fans to get along and see the team play.”
Elliott, who in the fifth ANZ ODI in Dunedin brought up his second ODI century, said there is nothing like playing at home and was sure that Wellington cricket fans will turn up in numbers.
“Two for $40 is a great deal,” said the 35-year-old.
“For all those people who didn’t get tickets to the World Cup it is a great chance to feel that atmosphere. Playing at Hagley Oval, Dunedin, Auckland and Hamilton the stadiums have been packed wherever we have gone so hopefully that is the same this week here in Wellington.”
The South African-born Kiwi said they are looking forward to returning to Westpac Stadium in what will be good preparation for their World Cup match against England on February 20.
“It is my hometown so I love to be able to spend some time at home,” he said. “It is a nice ground and it is great fun playing there when it is packed out. When it is full there is a really good buzz around the ground. They usually have good wickets down here and we are in Wellington with perfect weather. Hopefully that can continue.”
Anderson hopes his recent good form with the bat will also continue. The 24-year-old contributed nicely with bat (40 off 28 balls) and ball (4-52 from 10 overs) in Dunedin and wants to carry that form on.
“I love playing at the Cake Tin. When there a lot of people there it feels really enclosed and it is has a great atmosphere. It is exciting playing in front of bigger crowds and it is nice knowing that all of New Zealand is behind us as well.”
