Big crowd tipped for Black Caps

Black Cap Trent Boult gets a high five at Bay Oval during last year's South African match. Photo/file

The Bay Oval is expected to draw record crowds when the Black Caps take to the pitch for the second time in January.

Born-and-bred local talent Trent Boult and Kane Williamson will be wearing black for their home crowd - Williamson for the first time after being out with injury for the match against South Africa last year.

Boult, who first played for his home crowd when the Black Caps played in Tauranga in October, said it created a great playing atmosphere.

"It was nice to be out there with my black shirt on in front of my friends and family."

The Bay Oval was a boutique, Kiwi-style ground that allowed a relaxed summer vibe for the game, Boult said.

"The ground's really come along. It's come a long way from a few years ago.

"Tauranga and the Mount as a whole is an awesome place to come to so the lads will be looking forward to that.

"The Bay of Plenty are keen followers of cricket. It's cool we can give them the highest level of cricket in their backyard."

Ian Boult said it would be great to see his son playing back home.

"We'll be there for sure ... it's great being there with the atmosphere."

Seeing the local boys returning home to play was "a lot of why we do these things", Kelvin Jones, Bay Oval Trust general manager said.

A lot of work had been done to get the grounds up to international standard and the success of October's matches had paved the way to secure more matches, including these ones, he said.

The trust was hoping to cater for 8000 to 10,000 people per game in January.

Mr Jones said at that time of year, they could probably sell the tickets twice-over.

Their biggest crowd to date had been about 6000.

"Generally the T20 suits people because it's three hours instead of seven, but it's holiday time, it's interesting cricket so I think we can expect to sell out both games.

"People are already asking for tickets."

Next in their sights was securing a White Ferns game later next year when the Australian Women's team was planning to tour New Zealand.

Long-term flood lights for the pitch was a major goal to make the Bay Oval more attractive for international games, as well as more permanent facilities.

Former Black Cap Chris Pringle said it would be exciting to see the team back in Tauranga.

"From face value I think they like the home crowd. It's a great destination that time of the year.

"I remember I played for Auckland for years and I loved playing at Mt Eden. They tend to get in behind you."

Mr Pringle planned to be among the crowds enjoying a day at the Bay Oval in January.

"I've just pencilled it into my diary," he laughed.

"They [spectators] love those bank-based grounds where you just sit and relax and you're not on a plastic chair."

Paul Reid, chief executive of Bay of Plenty Cricket, said major games in the region helped to promote the sport to the up-and-coming generation.

"In our minds it keeps kids active in the game with the top cricketers here.

"We've traditionally had some strong cricketers from here, the likes of Kane Williamson and Trent Boult - we've got some strong junior cricketers as well.

"We're certainly one of the strongest cricket regions."