Cricket: Napier spirit to fuel cup

The ICC Cricket World Cup trophy.

The ICC Cricket World Cup trophy is about to begin a nationwide tour of New Zealand, with a stop for every one of the 22 years since the tournament was last in the country, in 1992.

The trophy will be in Napier, with an event to be held at the Napier Aquarium from 6am to 10am on Friday, November 14.

This will feature an interactive exhibition on the history of the tournament, cricket skills challenges, giveaways and the chance to have your free photo with the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy.

Fans are invited to share their photographs on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtags #cwc15 and #cwctrophytour.

The tour, which begins on November 6 in Auckland, will snake its way up to Kaitaia before heading back to Hamilton, via Auckland, on November 11. It will finish in Invercargill on November 27.

Therese Walsh, head of New Zealand for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, says the tour is the ideal way to give as many Kiwis as possible a chance to help kick start the biggest summer of cricket.

"Cricket is our summer game and a national passion. We will have waited a generation for the return of what has grown to be one of biggest sporting events in the world, and this is the perfect way to show New Zealanders what the tournament is all about," Walsh says.

"For this trophy tour we've designed something really special that, I believe, will appeal to fans of all ages. Napier has got into the spirit of the tournament by embracing the opportunity to be part of the tour, so keep an eye out for our convoy and help us gear up for what will be a fantastic event on 14 November and an amazing summer of cricket."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says: "The tour is a great way to remind the people of Hawke's Bay that it's not long until we have three Cricket World Cup games here in Napier.

"I hope all our local cricket fans take this great opportunity to come and see the trophy up close, have their photo taken with it and enjoy the atmosphere on Marine Parade," Dalton says.

The trophy stands 60cm tall and weighs 13kg. Made of silver and gold, it is the design and craft of Garrard & Co, in London, who also made the America's Cup and English Premier League trophy.

The cricket silverware features a golden globe of the world on which all continents are represented. The globe signifies a cricket ball with three silver columns shaped as stumps and bails holding it up.

These represent the three fundamentals of the summer code - batting, bowling and fielding.