Players set for chilling out in meet-and-sign event for fans

Pupils from Pukehou School, Central Hawke's Bay, were in full cheering mode at the Pakistan v UAE United Arab Emirates match at McLean Park, Napier, on Wednesday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hawke's Bay cricket fans and followers of the Black Caps will get the chance to meet the batting, bowling and fielding stars in Napier this evening.

After a few days' rest and recreation, which included rounds of golf on the Bay's fine courses, and with practice duties out of the way for the day, the team are planning to swap bats and balls for pens at an autograph signing session from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

The gathering will be at the Sound Shell and a highlight of the "Fanzone" activities which will be taking place

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

It was hoped the entire squad would make it to the meet-and-sign event.

The day will also feature the return of the "Whack a Wicket" game which will also be set up tomorrow and game day Sunday.

On Sunday, on the Sound Shell stage from 9am to 11am, a visiting Afghani performing group will put on a show.

Food stalls will also be set up over the two days.

Shortly after the Black Caps wrap up their visit to the Sound Shell "Fanzone" the Afghanistan team will be hosted at a mayoral welcome to be staged at the MTG Hawke's Bay at 6pm.

A full powhiri is planned and as well as the team a large contingent of Afghanistan supporters are also likely to attend. Among them will be many former interpreters who worked with New Zealand Defence personnel in the Bamyan province.

Seeking asylum, they were brought to live here as remaining in Afghanistan may have been too dangerous for them.

They have been given tickets to attend tomorrow's clash at McLean Park by ICC World Cup Cricket management.

They were also invited to attend a special function being staged in Hawke's Bay tomorrow night in which two former interpreters will be awarded medals.

One is to receive the New Zealand Operational Service Medal and the other the New Zealand General Service Medal Afghanistan.

Match day Sunday, with the game set to get under way at 11am, is shaping up good weatherwise.

After possible showers tomorrow MetService is forecasting sunshine, light winds and a high of 26C.

Signing session
*The Black Caps will be at the Sound Shell on Napier's Marine Parade today, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
*The session will be a highlight of today's "Fanzone" activities