Indoor Bowls: Aussie team roll in for historic test

Tauranga's Fiona Wilson (pictured) and Paul Smith are representing New Zealand against Australia at Mount Maunganui this week. Photo / File

The first international test match between New Zealand's Mat Blacks and Australia to be staged in the Western Bay will be held at the Mount Sports Centre from Thursday to Saturday.

The decision to bring the international here is the culmination of years of effort by a hard working team of volunteers and administrators. The 28 best Australasian bowlers will be involved in the seven-strong men's and women's teams in singles, pairs, triples and fours over the three days.

Former New Zealand title holder Keith Setter is part of the management committee hosting the series. He has been involved in the sport for 35 years and says this is a massive opportunity for the sport in the Bay of Plenty.

"Our goal is to provide the best tournament in the history of the test matches between Australia and New Zealand," Setter said. "We have involved a lot of local businesses to get on board as sponsors ... " Mayor Stuart Crosby is holding a mayoral reception on Thursday morning at 8.30am.

Setter says having Tauranga players Fiona Wilson and Paul Smith in the Mat Blacks is great news for the local association.

"Fiona has been in the New Zealand team for three series over six years and is co-captain. She and Paul won the New Zealand mixed fours last year together, which was her first New Zealand title. Paul is on debut and is also a Bay of Plenty junior who has come through the local ranks.

"Indoor bowls is a generic game of bowls but there are some significant differences. Obviously you have got the size of the rinks and the wind and the rain outdoors but with indoor you have a standard size mat and all the equipment is provided. Basically you turn up and you play ...

"By and large it seems a simpler sport but it is actually a lot more intense, a lot more strategic and there are penalties if you knock the kitty off the mat as opposed to outdoor where there is no penalty."

Australia and New Zealand first met for the Henselite Trophy in 1975. The test series are played every two years with New Zealand winning 15 of the 20 series.

- The two sessions of play begin at 9am and 2pm Thursday to Saturday.