Cricketers and fans mingle at Mt Drury

Bats and balls took over Mt Drury at the Backyard Cricket Fun event, where fans mingled and brushed shoulders with Black Caps and Northern Knights cricket stars.

The event started at 1pm yesterday, with about 15 children having a go bowling and batting with cricketers Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Peter Bocock, Zak Gibson and Nick Kelly.

Northern Knights marketing manager Andrea Friar said the players and keen cricketers were enjoying the sun.

"It's really neat. The Bay is such a great place to play cricket.

"We decided to do a beach cricket day to connect with the fans, and the guys love coming down to it."

The event, which ran from 1pm to 3pm, came in-between a series of cricket matches at Bay Oval this holiday season.

Bethlehem Primary School pupil and massive cricket fan Jamie Veall, 9, was bowling and batting with some of his sporting heroes.

"I like cricket because I get to have fun on the field, I get to go out there and have some hits."

His love for cricket had been ignited a few years ago after attending his first T20 game, with his favourite part being bowling.

His mother Tina McLennan said taking him to that game had "unleashed a beast", and he had been wanting to play cricket ever since.

They had attended the McDonald's Super Smash game on Tuesday with the Knights verses the Aces, and would be going to see the game today.

From 4pm the Knights play the Canterbury Kings at Bay Oval for the McDonald's Super Smash 2016-2017.