New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Photo / New Zealand Herald / Mark Mitchell
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Photo / New Zealand Herald / Mark Mitchell
Baz and the boys have eyes on prize, but Proteas no easy-beats in semi showdown.
The early rain this morning will have made cricket fans nervous about the possibility of a rained-off semi-final.
Today's Cricket World Cup semi-final at Eden Park is due to begin at 2pm, and as long as grounds-keepers have the covers on the pitch tight, it should be good to go,according to MetService's Auckland meteorologist Georgina Griffiths.
The possibility of the game being rained off would mean the semi-final would be held tomorrow, which was forecast as a fine day with light winds.
WeatherWatch said the bulk of the wet weather was now east of Eden Park and clearing to the west.
Due to the cloudy, humid, conditions a few lingering showers were possible across Auckland, not focused over Eden Park neccesarily, WeatherWatch said.
Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum talks with coach Mike Hesson ahead of their semifinal match against South Africa today. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Meanwhile, students at an Auckland boys-only school will be finishing classes at lunch-time to allow them to watch the game.
Auckland Grammar published a notice to the school website to say school would finish at 1.15pm today to enable students and staff to watch the semi-final.
Brendon McCullum and his men have already pocketed $74,267 each so far this World Cup - just a fraction more than the amount earned by seven lucky Tui Catch-a-Million winners, who have each provisionally won $71,429.
With six wins so far in the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament, the Black Caps will each share a portion of $1.114 million in prizemoney.
But if they edge out South Africa in today's do-or-die semifinal at Eden Park, the players' prizemoney will jump to $172,533 each.
And if the team go on to win the tournament, the Black Caps' total prizemoney earnings will jump to a massive $5.138 million.
Divided between the 15-man squad that would see players pocket a cool $342,533 each.
The tournament has a total prize pool of almost $13 million.
The seven Tui one-handed catchers stand to share a $500,000 prize pool. But the money will jackpot to $750,000 if the Black Caps beat South Africa and hit $1 million if they take out the tournament.
If the number of Tui catchers remains at seven, and if the Black Caps win, the catchers will each get $142,857.
Tickets have sold out for today's match, which starts at 2pm, and will see a capacity 40,000-strong crowd.
Pubs are bracing for thirsty cricket fans who missed out on tickets and young fans will be racing home from school to catch up with the action.
The ICC suggests those keen to get along to Eden Park should keep an eye on its website in case there's a last-minute ticket "hand-back" from commercial partners. The official World Cup website also features a marketplace where people can buy and sell tickets at their original price.
Scalping, or the resale of tournament tickets for a profit, is banned and ICC spokesman Philip Clark said security at Eden Park would be tight today.
"There will be a much stronger security presence than you would see at a normal cricket match."
In charge of the police presence at the Auckland game is Inspector Peter Gibson, who remained tight-lipped about the number of police staff keeping things in order at and around Eden Park today. "We've got sufficient measures in place to ensure that we have a safe environment for the players as well as the patrons to enjoy the event."
During the Cricket World Cup, police have for the first time worked with voluntary wardens including Maori, Pacific Island and Asian and community wardens, who would assist police at matches.
"We've got over 100 of them working and they're assisting us to make sure all the transport routes are safe, including for people who want to walk to the game or travel by train."
He said there would also be specialist staff monitoring alcohol use and sales in and around the ground.
To get to the game, Auckland Transport has added extra bus and train services, and special event buses will head to the park from locations around Auckland, including Manukau and the North Shore. Bus and train transport is free with a game ticket.
But for those who can't make it to the stadium, Prime will air the game live, from 1.30pm, as will Sky Sport.
As of last night, the TAB odds favoured South Africa, with the Proteas paying $1.75 and New Zealand $2 for the win.
Scattered showers are forecast by the MetService this morning, but becoming isolated in the afternoon as fine spells develop.
- with additional reporting by Sophie Ryan of NZME.
