Cricket: World Cup 2015 calls for helpers

Cricket fans Lakshini, left, and Priyesha Mendis are keen to help out at next year's Cricket World Cup. Photo / Richard Robinson

Interviews for people who want to be volunteer helpers at next year's Cricket World Cup will start next month, and organisers are hoping Kiwis will help make the tournament special.

Four thousand volunteers will be needed nationwide, including about 450 required in Auckland.

Volunteers played an important role in the success of New Zealand's Rugby World Cup in 2011, and won praise from international visitors and media.

Lakshini Mendis was one of them, and the 25-year-old Aucklander is putting her hand up again, with her sister Priyesha, 18, to help at the cricket.

Ms Mendis, who is studying towards a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Auckland, said one of the best things about volunteering during the rugby was meeting new people.

"We were helping people find their way, and giving them information about events ... it was really cool being able to showcase New Zealand as well."

Another motivation was that she is a "mad" cricket fan.

That passion is in the blood - the sisters' grandfather, Harold Mendis, was the manager of the Sri Lankan cricket team in 1981.

Ms Mendis, who migrated from Sri Lanka 12 years ago, said her loyalties would be somewhat divided during the tournament.

"I think we mostly go Sri Lanka, but if it's a final with Sri Lanka and New Zealand, then really either way it's going to be fine.

"We have already jumped in and bought tickets for the opening game as soon as they went on sale - that's the one in Christchurch and it's Sri Lanka versus New Zealand."

The head of New Zealand operations for the cup, Therese Walsh, said volunteers were in many ways the face of the tournament for fans, media and officials.

Volunteers wanted

*The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will run from February 14 to March 29 next year in venues around New Zealand and Australia.
*New Zealand volunteers 17 years or older are wanted for roles in accreditation, commercial and sponsor servicing, event operations, media and broadcast operations, spectator and fan services, transport, VIP and hospitality.
*Successful candidates will be interviewed next month, and more information can be found at www.cricketworldcup.com.