New Zealand cricket legends ready to greet royals

Two New Zealand cricketing legends are set to play a pivotal part in greeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when the royal couple visit the South Island city of Christchurch on

Monday 14 April.

 
Former New Zealand cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee, and icon of the women’s game, Debbie Hockley will lead a special game of cricket with local children at an event to be held at Christchurch’s Latimer Square.

 
Avid cricket fan
The event is to highlight the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 which starts in Christchurch on February 14, 2015. The Cricket World Cup trophy will also be on show.

 
Avid cricket fan Prince William and his wife will be hosted at the event by Therese Walsh, Head of New Zealand for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and former New Zealand World Cup captain, turned CEO of Canterbury Cricket, Lee Germon.

 
“Christchurch’s important role in the ICC Cricket World Cup is symbolic of its recovery and a tremendous opportunity to showcase the city’s redevelopment to the world,” says Therese Walsh.

 
“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to explain the city’s role to their Royal Highnesses.”

 
Hailing from Christchurch both Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley are icons of the city, and the world game.

 
Sir Richard Hadlee played 86 tests and 115 one-day internationals (ODIs) between 1973 and 1990, becoming the first player to take 400 test wickets. Debbie was the first woman to score 4,000 runs in ODIs and also the first to play 100 ODIs.

 
Both Hadlee and Debbie are the only New Zealanders currently represented in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

 
Cricket and Christchurch
Dubbed the most English of New Zealand cities, cricket and Christchurch have always gone hand in hand so it is only natural that the honour of opening the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 should fall to the sport-loving city.

 
The Cricket World Cup opener sees the New Zealand’s BLACKCAPS take on the flair of Sri Lanka at Christchurch’s historic Hagley Oval. Matches between Pakistan and West Indies (21.02.15) England and Scotland (23.02.15) come to town soon after.

 
ICC Cricket World Cup:
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia between 14 February and 29 March. Around one million fans are expected to attend the 49 matches.

 
A further one billion are expected to watch the official broadcast around the world. New Zealand and Australia last co-hosted the tournament in 1992.

Source:- New Zealand