My piece on the forthcoming Cricket World Cup and New Zealand

Cricket fever growing in the picturesque New Zealand!

 Afsana Ahmed

A statutory warning to all the top cricket players of the world who will be soon battling it out in New Zealand (co-host to Australia for the Cricket World Cup 2015). Beware, the World Cup is not in just the minds of the Kiwis, but it’s in their hospitality agenda too! The fragrant spirit to win anyhow seems to be written all over the Kiwi land.

Just imagine. The day when romance is filled in the air, which means 14^th Feb celebrated as Valentine Day across the world, `World Cup 2015 kicks off in NZ (at Hagley Oval, Christchurch). And to add to this charged atmosphere will be the country’s picturesque sights and ear pleasing quietness. Naturally one tends to lose in its charm.   

 That’s what NZ does to you. With it’s incredibly diverse natural attractions, historically significant places, stunning alpine scenery, thrilling outdoor adventures or the mind blowing wine and food, the old-fashioned Englishness and the local Maori culture or an encounter with beautiful locals, NZ can prove to be quiet a distraction. So many experiences so closely, can be enchanting for anyone who visits the country. The beauty can easily make anyone wooly. (Remember our own captain Virat Kohli caught wandering in the picturesque Auckland in the company of his alleged girlfriend Anushka Sharma. Let’s also remember that we lost both the series to the Kiwis). And the Kiwis could well use this opportunity to their advantage for all the unfocussed opponents.  After all it’s their beautiful home ground! There’s so much to see, do and explore between the big games!

While this provides a light cautionary starting point to all the players as well as the title defenders, there are more stuff for visitors who would be packing off to the land of the Kiwis for the match. Countdown clocks have started ticking in the seven host cities around New Zealand-- Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Nelson and Wellington. To paint a picture of Auckland, NZ’s most cosmopolitan city, recognized world over for its food, culture and coastline, one has to make a trip there. This city also boasts of a thrilling outdoor activity right in its heart... Sky-Walk, the adrenaline driven outdoor activity is placed in Sky City Tower, at 328 meters, it is the tallest man-made structure in NZ.

If that doesn’t interest what better way to discover the city on a Harley Davidson ride in the company of the robust Bularangi gang. It’s mind blowing!

Hamilton is NZ’s largest inland city and it thrives on all accounts, especially nightlife and fine dining, other than some iconic attractions such as the Hobbiton town and the Glow warm caves in Waitomo. Similarly all other host countries boast of some very interesting sightseeing. Excited at the prospect of hosting such a big event, there is not a corner in the host cities, where you won’t be able to strike a conversation about winners and wickets. Vinod Nair (name changed) a waiter at the restaurant` The Indian Star, in Hamilton informs, “We support India openly. We just hope and pray that our cricketers do not lose their focus here. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people all over, so it’s very easy to get distracted”, he cautiously informs adding that all Indian cricketers come over to dine at this restaurant in Hamilton. Jitendra Jagwani, a local businessman based in Hamilton echoes the same sentiment, “Much as I admire the spirit of the Kiwis, I’ll support the Indian team”.

Other locals inform us that a warm Kiwi welcome awaits visitors arriving for the major event next year. While a giant inflatable cricket ball has also been bouncing around New Zealand’s top holiday spots to spread news of the forthcoming World Cup, every Indian visitor is met with warm smiles, “ So are you ready for the World Cup?’, we would often be asked. To my affirmative would be added another clear and loud acquiescence from some cricket lover, `We’re too. Let’s celebrate the same spirit”. And there you’re, celebrating the universal love for cricket over wine/beer and food. Clearly, the adventure obsessed Kiwis are sharpening their claws. It is 23 years since New Zealand last hosted the Cricket World Cup. It's a hangover from New Zealand's colonial past when settlers brought a love of the 'gentleman's game' with them and, since the early 19th century, cricket has continued to hold its own as an iconic part of a Kiwi summer. This time, for the World Cup a million people are expected to attend matches live and another billion to watch on television.

The country’s developing network of boutique lodges and luxury accommodation has been winning big on the world stage and this looks the best time to flourish all the more. “It’s not just the finals but the lead-up to it is equally huge. The international attention we will get is huge. It’s a big deal for the country’s tourism as well the economy”, said Karen Reagan, a localite. With tickets on sale and travel packages now available online, all fans must be already planning their next holiday to New Zealand for the Cricket World Cup and who knows, if you’re lucky you could just be dining out with your cricket idol in one of the night restaurants or partying with them in the nightclubs.

5 facts about New Zealand Cricket:

a)        Christchurch, the New Zealand city devastated by an earthquake in 2011, will host the first match of the World Cup tournament on Feb 14^th.  It’s going to be an emotional occasion as Christchurch will stand up to walk again with pride.

b)       Kiwis are introduced to cricket at an early age. Clubs take on players from the age of five, and an introductory form of cricket is taught in primary schools. Known as 'Kiwi cricket', this version of the game is much shorter and teaches youngsters basics of the game.

c)        This is a big deal for the entire New Zealand in terms of economy boost through this world class event. Tourism boost is what is expected in a big way.

d)       The tragic love story of cricketer Bob Blair significantly marks the history of New Zealand cricket. In 1953, Dec 25^th, world’s eighth rail disaster in Tangiwai, NZ killed 151 people on board. One of the dead was Nerrissa  Love, Blair’s fiancée. Next day, Blair, 21 was playing a Test match against South Africa at Ellis Park. He grieved in his room, listened to the game on the radio and then in one of the defining chapters of New Zealand sport he appeared at the batting pitch to partner Bert Sutcliffe. There has been a play, a book and movie about the saga. 

e)        New Zealand has never won the coveted title. This will be the second time that the county has ever hosted the premier showcase since 1992 when the Cricket World Cup first visited these shores.