Cricket World Cup: Fever rises in Napier

Cricket fever has converged on Napier. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Black Caps to meet fans ahead of Sunday’s clash with Afghanistan

The Black Caps will swap bats and balls for pens this evening as they continue with rest and relaxation before taking on Afghanistan this weekend.

Cricket fever has converged on Napier and after having enjoyed a few rounds of golf at Hawkes Bay courses, the team will meet fans today for an autograph signing session.

It will be the highlight of "Fanzone" activities set up to coincide with the only New Zealand ICC World Cup pool game held in the city.

"It's a great chance for people to catch up with their team and meet them," Napier Inner City marketing manager Zoe Barnes said.

The Afghanistan team will later be hosted at a mayoral welcome to be staged at the MTG Hawke's Bay museum, theatre and art gallery.

A powhiri is planned with a large contingent of Afghanistan supporters likely to attend.

Among them will be a number of former interpreters who worked with New Zealand Defence personnel in the Bamiyan province. They have been given tickets to attend Sunday's clash at McLean Park by ICC World Cup Cricket management.

Clear skies and temperatures reaching 26C are expected on Sunday.

Bangladesh soared to the quarterfinal yesterday at Nelson's Saxton Oval, chasing down Scotland's imposing total of 318-8 to win by six wickets with 11 balls to spare.Hawke's Bay Today

NZ v Afghanistan

Today

4.30pm - 5.30pm Black Caps autograph signing at Napier's Sound Shell

6pm Afghanistan team mayoral welcome at MTG Hawke's Bay

Sunday
9am - 11am visiting Afghani group perform, Sound Shell stage
11am game starts, McLean Park, Napier