The grass banks at Bay Oval were full as thousands turned out for the second One Day International between the Black Caps and England. Photo / Andrew Warner
The grass banks at Bay Oval were full as thousands turned out for the second One Day International between the Black Caps and England. Photo / Andrew Warner
Bay Oval was the place to be tonight and thousands of Tauranga locals and visitors knew it – the ground was humming with excited cricket fans.
The second One Day International between England and New Zealand in Mount Maunganui had been touted as the biggest game to have ever beenplayed in the city.
The crowd turnout, from the very first ball, was worthy of the hype and it only got bigger as the afternoon wore on.
By 6pm the count was about 8200 people – a big chunk of Bay Oval's 10,000 capacity.
On the field, the Black Caps lost the toss and were sent in to bat, losing early wickets. England went on to win the match.
Requiring 224 to square the rubber, England reached 225 for four in 37.5 overs on the back of impressive half centuries from captain Eion Morgan and allrounder Ben Stokes and a late flurry from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler ensured a six-wicket victory.
Earlier in the day, keen cricket fan Manu Mulinti was occasionally launching to his feet to clap and cheer on the grass bank.
Mulinti was at the game with his wife Kalpanna and their two sons Praneeth, 9, and Prasanna, 7.
He took the day off work and his two sons out of school to drive from Hamilton to watch.
Mulinti said Bay Oval was "fantastic" and the atmosphere "very energetic".
Manu Mulinti with his wife Kalpanna and their two sons (left) Praneeth, 9, and Prasanna, 7. The family drove from Hamilton to watch. Photo / Andrew Warner
Meanwhile, eight excited girls from Tauranga Intermediate, who formed a tunnel for the players at the start of the game, were also among the crowd – all dressed in their school cricket uniforms.
One of the girls, Elle Archer, said it was "awesome" getting high-fives from the players.
"It was really cool; it was a really good experience having all of us here today."
The 12-year-old is an all-rounder, and her favourite player is local-boy Kane Williamson, who unfortunately was ruled out of yesterday's game with a hamstring injury.
Elle is one of 43 girls who play cricket on a Saturday for Tauranga Intermediate.
The first eight to bring back their permission forms got to go to the game yesterday and get up close to their favourite players on the field.
"It's a lot better than being at school because you can just relax and chill out with your friends, and you actually get to have your name up on the big screen and be on worldwide television," Elle said.
Elle Archer (front) was one of eight excited cricket players from Tauranga Intermediate who formed a tunnel for the players at the start of the game. Photo / Andrew Warner
Bay Oval Trust general manager Kelvin Jones said it was a great occasion.
"The Tauranga community have done us proud. A great turnout to support the Black Caps, as well as a very large contingent of travelling English supporters, all helped show off Tauranga to a huge national and international audience. It's capped off a fantastic season."
