Outstanding start to new HRV Cup Twenty20 competition

New Zealand’s new-look Twenty20 cricket competition, the HRV Cup, got off to an outstanding start in Mount Maunganui today with a bumper crowd, queues at the gates, a nail-biting finish and superb cricket action featuring some of the country’s star players.

A crowd of more than 5100 packed into the Mount’s Blake Park to see the opening game of the HRV Cup competition between the Northern Knights and Auckland Aces.

The two teams fielded 12 current or former BLACKCAPS between them, along with Auckland’s international player, England’s Ravi Bopara.

Northern emerged victors by five runs, but only after Auckland had taken the fight right to the final over of the match.

David Cooper, Chief Executive of host association Northern Districts, said it was a great way to start the new competition.

“It’s been a fantastic opening match,” Cooper said. “The weather has been great, we’re delighted with the crowd and the atmosphere in the ground has been tremendous.

“The Twenty20 format is a real favourite with the crowds, and the presence of so many BLACKCAPS in the match was also a huge drawcard.”

Cooper said there were queues of fans waiting to get in to the park well before the match started. And with another round in the HRV Cup scheduled at Blake Park tomorrow [Sunday 3 January] Cooper said punters would be advised to come early to secure a good spot.

The HRV Cup continues tomorrow with the Northern Knights playing last season’s champions, the Otago Volts, at Blake Park – a match that will again see several BLACKCAPS in action for both team, as well as Otago’s international player, Pakistan’s Yasir Arafat.

Also tomorrow the Central Stags take on the Wellington Firebirds at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth. On Monday the Auckland Aces host the Canterbury Wizards at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland.