Fans help catch out Cricket World Cup betting cheats

The crowd, during the first Pool A match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police have told court-siders they’re banned from all World Cup venues.

Cricket fans helped police to identify betting cartel members at the opening game of the Cricket World Cup who were booted out for participating in a betting scheme known as court-siding.

Court-siding involves a person at a live sports event relaying information to people overseas who then take advantage of the delay in coverage on television or radio to place sure bets.

It is not illegal in New Zealand, but police are helping organisers to catch participants in the act and expel them from the grounds.

ICC Cricket World Cup operation head Superintendent Sandra Manderson said it wasn't hard for police to identify court-siders at Hagley Oval on Saturday because of their behaviour.

"We are aware of the practice occurring and we were quite vigilant in looking for them," she said.

"Some of them have multiple telephones and are using their computers. Some members of the public also noticed them ... and reported it to us as well."

Ms Manderson said some of those ejected were tourists and others were living in New Zealand.

Police had a list of people who could be linked to court-siding, and they would be watching for any suspicious behaviour.

While court-siding is not illegal in New Zealand, it is against the terms and conditions of the ICC Cricket World Cup tickets. Police interviewed those involved and have banned them from all tournament venues.

The Black Caps touched down in Dunedin mid-morning yesterday ahead of their second game of the tournament tomorrow.

Media assistant Richard Irvine said the team would be enjoying a day off.

Captain Brendon McCullum, brother Nathan and head coach Mike Hesson would be spending time with their families, he said. "The others will probably be playing golf."

Hesson told the Herald that celebrations had been "pretty muted" after a highly emotional day.

"We've had about 27 games building up to this game so it's been fairly draining. The guys are pretty chuffed at the fact we put up a performance we can be proud of."

Fans will need to remember the sunscreen for tomorrow's game at University Oval. MetService has forecast a fine day with sunny skies and a northeast breeze, with temperatures expected to reach 20C.

There's also a good forecast for today's match at Saxton Oval in Nelson. MetService has forecast a sunny and fine day with light winds and temperatures up to 19C as the West Indies take on Ireland.

After New Zealand's win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, support has been building for the home team to be the outright winners of the tournament at the TAB.

At 7.30pm yesterday, New Zealand were paying $4.25 as the second-equal favourites with South Africa to win the cup.

Australia are still favourites to win, at $2.75.

Share of $1m prize for lucky catcher

The decision to drive to Hamilton and watch his beloved Zimbabwe proved rather profitable for an Auckland cricket fan yesterday.

Tui Catch-A- Million winner Travis Committie celebrates his successful catch at Seddon Park yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Travis Committie became the second supporter to claim a one-handed crowd catch at the Cricket World Cup, spectacularly snaring a six off JP Duminy's bat during South Africa's clash with Zimbabwe at Seddon Park.

The catch left the 23-year-old assured of part of a prize pool that could reach $1 million, with this year's Tui Catch-A-Million promotion linked to the Black Caps' fortunes at the World Cup.

"I had a feeling that I would get lucky today," Mr Committie said.

"This is surreal. The ball was struck in my direction and I just knew I had to get to it."

That determination saw the Takapuna personal trainer fend off several other fans, managing to clutch the ball with his right hand while holding a beer in his left.

- Kris Shannon

Cricket picks the winners

The Black Caps and Australia were triumphant - and so was Cricket Cricket. The Herald's six-legged oracle predicted New Zealand would beat Sri Lanka in the opener of the 2015 Cricket World Cup and that Australia would defeat England. It is a stunning start for the black field cricket, who lives at Butterfly Creek in Auckland. Cricket Cricket follows in the footsteps of Paul the German Octopus, who shot to fame in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, and the Herald's own Richie McCow, who pronounced on the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Katie Cameron of Butterfly Creek said Cricket Cricket would be making picks for all New Zealand and Australia games, and the more exciting match-ups from Pool B. Read its prediction for the New Zealand v Scotland game in tomorrow's paper.

Next Black Caps games

Tomorrow: New Zealand v Scotland, 11am, University Oval, Dunedin.

Friday: New Zealand v England, 2pm, Wellington Regional Stadium.

Saturday, February 28: New Zealand v Australia, 2pm, Eden Park, Auckland

Sunday, March 8: New Zealand v Afghanistan, 11am, McLean Park, Napier.

Friday, March 13: New Zealand v Bangladesh, 2pm, Seddon Park, Hamilton.

For more coverage of the Cricket World Cup from nzherald.co.nz and NZME check out #CricketFever.