Pukekura Park to open early for expected HRV Cup crowd

Expectations of a big crowd means Central Districts Cricket will open the gates at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, an hour earlier than normal for tomorrow night’s HRV Cup game between the Central Stags and the Northern Knights.

Central Districts chief executive Blair Furlong said it was decided to open the venue at 3.00pm rather than 4.00pm in order to accommodate the expected influx of spectators at the HRV Cup Twenty20 match.

“We’re advising customers to get their tickets early, as there is a real risk of the ground selling out,” said Furlong. “We had 3000 people at the park for Sunday’s game against the Wellington Firebirds, and 3400 yesterday to see the Stags play the Otago Volts.

Furlong said he was delighted to see the ground, which has a capacity of just 3500, bursting at the seams for the HRV Cup.

“Tomorrow’s game is expected to be very popular, partly because Daniel Vettori will be playing for the Knights, but also because the Stags are top of the HRV Cup table and playing well with all their big stars present.

Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, local hero Peter Ingram, and overseas import Graham Napier will turn out for the Stags in the clash. The Knights team is expected to include Vettori along with current BLACKCAPS BJ Watling, Daniel Flynn, Peter McGlashan and Tim Southee.

The Central Stags are currently four points clear at the top of the HRV Cup table with two wins from two games.

Tickets for the match are $15 for adults, $5 for children or $35 for families (2 adults and 2 kids).

Two other HRV Cup games are taking place at the same time tomorrow [8 January] :

Canterbury Wizards v Otago Volts at QEII Park in Christchurch
Wellington Firebirds v Auckland Aces at Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve

ENDS

For HRV Cup schedules, news and match reports see:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic/