Fans enjoy the action during the Black Caps' crushing win over the West Indies which got them through to the
semifinals. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Fans enjoy the action during the Black Caps' crushing win over the West Indies which got them through to the
semifinals. Photo / Mark Mitchell
South Africa marginal favourites and the weather looks clear for do-or-die semifinal.
As the Black Caps edge closer to Cricket World Cup glory, an entire nation is bracing for one of the biggest games in New Zealand cricketing history.
After Saturday's thrilling quarter-final win in Wellington, thousands will be contemplating a sneaky sick day to catch tomorrow's semifinal action at Eden Park.
And though the stadium is nearing its 40,000 capacity, diehard fans with deep enough pockets can still snap up seats.
Platinum lounge or platinum dining seats are available for $950 to $990 per person, or you and 19 mates could book your own private suite for $18,150.
But employers have issued a warning to anyone planning to ditch work to watch the game.
"Some [workplaces] are in the position to be able to cut some slack, and great, but my advice is don't just count on your boss being tolerant," Employers and Manufacturers Association chief Kim Campbell told the Herald.
"Unfortunately that's not how the world works."
A mock letter went viral on social media yesterday, using Black Caps skipper Brendan McCullum's signature, calling for leniency for workers who are no-shows in the office tomorrow.
"They may not be in the office but rest assured they'll be putting in the hard yards at Eden Park, helping us get over the line against South Africa," the letter, complete with Black Caps letterhead, reads.
The McCullum letter is believed to be a New Zealand Cricket initiative designed to garner "tongue-in-cheek" support for the team.
Mr Campbell said most workers were responsible and he did not expect a big jump in absenteeism.
He also urged employers to show flexibility where possible so workers could participate in the match, boosting workplace morale.
"Have a TV in the lunchroom. You can turn the radio on if you have to.
"Of course what's essential in all this is that New Zealand wins. So I'm not sure I want to be around on Wednesday if it doesn't work out."
Employment lawyer Susan Hornsby-Geluk had this message for cricket fans who were considering pulling a sickie: "I would ask first rather than just do it then seek forgiveness after.
"Reasonable employers, work commitments permitting, will surely let their employees take the day off, but I don't think they'll be that impressed if employees just call in sick or don't turn up."
Suspicious bosses may demand to see a medical certificate from any workers who called in sick. They could also refuse annual leave requests, she warned, though they were obligated to be reasonable in accommodating such requests.
She hoped employers would use the game as a team-building opportunity for their staff.
"Even if employees are sitting at their desks they're not likely to be working, they'll be stuck to the updates every five minutes."
Despite Martin Guptill's heroic innings at the weekend, South Africa were yesterday the TAB's favourite to win tomorrow's do-or-die match, paying $1.82 over New Zealand at $1.92.
Master blasters McCullum and Kane Williamson were odds-on to be New Zealand's top run scorers, both paying $4, though Guptill was in spitting distance at $4.50.
Hashim Amla was paying $3.75 to be South Africa's top run scorer, followed by AB de Villiers at $4.
Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said the auction website did not allow the sale of Cricket World Cup tickets, and in the past few weeks about 300 listings had been removed.
Mr Ford said Trade Me normally had a policing team working around the clock, but tickets made up a tiny part of the trading activity and Cricket World Cup tickets were "a minuscule subset of this".
The MetService forecasts fine spells tomorrow, with a few showers and light winds.
A high of 23C is expected to drop to 13C overnight. The match is scheduled to start at 2pm.
Four to one in favour of SA
A Henderson family of five with South African roots have four Proteas supporters in their midst.
The Southgate family, from left, C-J, Chanwyn, mum Chanel, Faith and dad Wayne.
Four of the Southgate family - parents Chanel and Wayne and daughters Chanwyn, 20, and C-J, 17 - were born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand 14 years ago from Cape Town.
The diverse family trace their heritage back to England and St Helena, but four of them support South African teams when they're playing against New Zealand.
The fifth and youngest family member, 13-year-old Faith, was born here and will be supporting the Black Caps tomorrow when they go head to head with the Proteas in the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal.
University of Auckland dance student Chanwyn said the family were big cricket fans and would be keeping a close eye on the game, whether it be from school, university or work.
The Miss Africa New Zealand 2014 winner said her choice to support her country of birth was not a tough one, even though she'd lived in New Zealand from a young age.
"But my sister [Faith] considers herself Kiwi so she'll be supporting the Black Caps."
Chanwyn said it meant there was a bit of friendly family tension when watching sports.
Today •We'll have all the developments as the Black Caps count down to the semifinal •Watch highlights from Martin Guptill's epic knock: tinyurl.com/guptillsmash •Take our poll online: Who will win, South Africa or Black Caps?
