Cricket: Bay Oval crowd catcher so close to $50,000 Tui Catch A Million

Fans try to catch a six hit into the crowd at Bay Oval. PHOTO/PHOTOSPORT

When a thundering six from Black Caps batsman Colin Munro was heading towards Clarke de Malmanche on the bank at Bay Oval he thought to himself "I might have this for $50,000" in the Tui Catch A Million promotion.

He so nearly had the money as the ball thundered into his left hand and then bounced into his right. He claimed the "catch" and for a few delirious minutes thought he had won the cash during the final Twenty20 international between the Black Caps and Windies on Wednesday night.

But the reality arrived shortly after for De Malmanche in the form of an official from the sponsors. To win the money the catch had to be taken clearly in one hand, not deflected from one hand to the other.

"I guess I should have read the fine print," De Malmanche said ruefully.

"He explained it all to me so that was fine but I never read the rules. It was just a bit of fun anyway. At first I couldn't believe it. I jumped up and I had it in my hand but I didn't immediately think of the 50,000. It was just a bigger surprise to me to have caught it than anything."

De Malmanche, who is from Putaruru and has a holiday bach at Mount Maunganui where he spends his annual summer holidays, was left with a bruised hand and a memory of what might have been.

"I think someone is going to catch one sooner or later. There is enough of them going over the fence that is for sure."

But while the catch a six competition is creating its own atmosphere for spectators at Black Caps matches throughout New Zealand there is a major safety concern.

Many cricket fans were appalled by television images from Bay Oval at Monday and Wednesday night's games of innocent bystanders, including children, being knocked over in the melee to catch a six.

Colin Munroe scored 104 at Bay Oval to become the first player to have three international T20 tons. PHOTO/FILE

On Wednesday there were 24 mighty sixes hit into the crowd between the Black Caps and Windies. Black Caps opener Munro hit 10 himself in scoring a world record third international T20 century.

Simon Smith, spokesman for DB Breweries which makes Tui, said safety was the "number one priority" in the competition.

"We are mindful that the prize on offer for a one-handed catch is undoubtedly adding to the enthusiasm for fans in the stands, however crowd safety is paramount and we would like to reiterate that fans should consider a safe approach when attempting to take a catch, especially when around other spectators."

The Black Caps are due to play two more matches at Bay Oval which continues to receive high praise from cricket commentators about the superior lights, pitch quality and spectator facilities.

The circle of food outlets and tables to eat from beside the ground were appreciated by family groups in particular.

The Black Caps play Pakistan in a Twenty20 international on January 28 and England in an ODI on February 28.

- Additional reporting Dubby Henry