Mayor stars in cricket world cup launch

Bill Dalton says his cricket skills are limited. Photo/File

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton is set to display his batting prowess today as part of a "one year to go" countdown launch for next year's Cricket World Cup.

Napier's McLean Park is set to host three games in March next year - Pakistan vs UAE, West Indies vs UAE and New Zealand vs Afghanistan.

Cricket World Cup is sponsoring celebratory events in all seven host cities in New Zealand today, with the Napier celebrations set to take place at the Sound Shell colonnade on Marine Parade from noon until 2pm.

A roll-out artificial pitch will be set up for the occasion with young cricketers from Nelson Park and Taradale Primary School first to use it for a limited overs fun exhibition cricket match before the official part of the event takes place.

That will see Mayor Dalton unveil an official countdown clock to mark off the days until the tournament starts.

The clock is one of seven gifted to the host cities from ICC Cricket World Cup.

"I'm delighted to be officially launching the countdown to bring this fantastic world tournament to New Zealand and Napier City," Mr Dalton said. "The tournament will be a great opportunity to showcase Napier and greater Hawke's Bay to the world."

After he and Napier City Council CEO Wayne Jack cut the ribbon of the countdown clock at 12.25pm it will be Mr Dalton's opportunity to show off his batting skills in a competition where those who manage to bowl him out go into a draw for a $500 Valentine's Day package.

So how does he rate his batting skills?

"Pretty average," he replied. "The last game of cricket I played was for Nelson Park Primary School - they just wanted someone large to stand in front of the stumps to block them."

There will also be giveaways during the event including double passes to any game in the Cricket World Cup tournament within New Zealand.

Hawke's Bay Tourism communications manager Vicky Roebuck said today's event would be made even more colourful as the cruise ship Oosterdam would be in port and the immediate area of the Sound Shell "wicket" would likely attract fascinated visitors as well as competitive locals.

Tickets for Cricket World Cup 2015 are set to go on sale tomorrow at 2pm, with $5 kids tickets to all pool matches and adult prices starting at $20 for most games.