Cricket: Slip, slop, slap and it's game on, boys

Let's face it. If you want to play for the Black Caps then coming to terms with the heat in the subcontinent is a prerequisite to representing one's country.

Of course, there's the minor matter of up to 100 per cent humidity just in case you start feeling comfortable while bowling or on the batting crease.

Consequently Riverbend Cricket camp co-ordinator Craig Findlay says the thousands of talented children converging in Hawke's Bay for the annual mecca to cricketing civilisation should treat the forecast of 30-degree-plus heatwaves here as a dress rehearsal for any international aspirations.

"The kids will get hot but we'll look after them," said Findlay, who is also the HB Cricket CEO.

"In fact, it'll be quite cold for players in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka," he says with a laugh.

The year 8 and 10 children will play 100-over matches today while the year 6 nippers will probably start feeling the intensity going into Thursday and Friday's play.

Findlay says while previous summers were relatively mild and punctuated by rain, the weather forecast for the next few days is traditionally what teams expect each summer.

"They'll just have to wear hats, drinks lots of water and slap on loads of sunscreen, I suppose."

On the bright side, the youngsters won't have to warm up "like us oldies", says the former Central Districts Stags and Hawke Cup-winning cricketer.

Findlay says the challenge for coaches, managers and parents will be to ensure children don't run around during breaks but find comfort under gazebos and trees. "You see, the trouble is these kids don't want to sit down - that's why they come here ... to play."