Black Cap Neil Wagner played beach cricket with local kids ahead of the Boxing Day test. Photo / George Novak
Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval is preparing for almost a full house as thousands of people are expected for the "biggest game of the summer" - the Boxing Day test.
The Black Caps-Pakistan test is at Bay Oval from Saturday to December 30.
Tickets were selling fast and some avid cricket fans had already arrived at the Bay in anticipation of the big game.
Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones said his team was well under way with preparations for the big Boxing Day match.
"The ground is looking a picture," he said.
Jones said the Boxing Day test was without a doubt going to be the biggest game hosted at the Bay Oval so far.
"We just became a test venue last year and to get the Boxing Day test, which is the biggest game of the summer, this year is a huge occasion.
"It's going to be a big occasion with a big audience."
Ticket sales had so far been "really strong" for the first day of the test, with interest also high for the following few days at the Bay Oval, Jones said.
"It's going to be close to a full house on Boxing Day. A full house is about 9500 people, which we have only experienced for a one-day international game.
"It's going to be an amazing atmosphere."
Jones said they had hired a couple of extra full-time employees leading into the busy summer at Bay Oval.
"The number of people involved in putting on a test match is unbelievable," he said.
"That's the real economic benefits these games can generate. Most of these people are coming from out of town, staying locally and spending locally.
"It's a big production that comes to town."
Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Kristin Dunne said they were delighted Tauranga was the host city of the Boxing Day test and hoped it will be the first of many.
"New Zealanders are passionate about their sport and we are aware there are avid fans who have already arrived in anticipation of this game.
"Events are fantastic motivators for travel and draw passionate supporters to the region.
"With international matches, such as the test on Boxing Day, there is media coverage that has the potential to stimulate interest to travel here."
Black Cap Neil Wagner will be spending Christmas Day at home for the first time in a while thanks to the Boxing Day test.
Wagner moved from Dunedin to Pāpāmoa three years ago and said the cricket facilities in the Bay were amazing.
"The work the groundsmen at Bay Oval put in not just for Boxing Day, but for us to train throughout the winter, it goes a long way.
"We have arguably the best facilities in the country and it really makes me proud to be part of the Bay team."
Not that he needs another reason to love the Bay, but Wagner said he was living the dream.
"I can't believe I didn't move here earlier to be fair. It's unreal, the friendliness of people, I've made amazing friends in my time here.
"In Dunedin people were very friendly too, but at the same time, it's just warmer weather, being able to do so many things from golf to fishing. Its a dream place to live and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Yesterday, Wagner went out to Mount Maunganui's Main Beach to have a practise-run with teammate BJ Watling.
"It's nice to see all the kids turn out in their numbers ... It's very special," Wagner said.
"It sort of just brings you back down to remembering that kid who fell in love with the game yourself. It doesn't feel like that long ago that I played cricket with my heroes so it's nice to give back and see the smiles on the kids' faces."
Wagner said it encouraged him to train hard and work to be a role model for those that look up to the team.
Ben Goninon, 8, is somewhat "cricket mad" and his smile didn't leave his face all day.
Goninon said he liked that everyone could play cricket.
"You don't have to play in a club you can play with your family, it doesn't matter how you play.
"I like how it's not just a boy's sport."
While he wasn't a fan of bowling, Goninon was a big hitter impressing one of his favourite cricketers, BJ Watling.
The young fan was delighted to get his favourite player - Watling's - signature as they are both wicketkeepers.
Ellie Jones was with her family enjoying the day.
The 12-year-old said she hadn't been successful at hitting any balls but had enjoyed the 'Black Cap's Hokey Pokey' ice cream for her troubles.
"It's been so exciting, I've really liked it. I'm a big fan of the Black Caps."
Wagner will join by Black Caps teammates Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling and Will Young at the weekend.