Cricket World Cup: Black Caps' form spurs rush for tickets

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and his team with the Chappell/Haddlee trophy, after winning the Cricket World Cup pool match against Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Big spike in sales for NZ’s game against Afghanistan.

The Black Caps' pulsating form in the Cricket World Cup is sparking a surge of ticket sales, and some seats are still available for New Zealand's next outing.

The match against Bangladesh in Hamilton on March 13 is sold out, but tickets were still available yesterday for the game against Afghanistan in Napier next Sunday.

Cricket World Cup spokesman Philip Clark said that when New Zealand hammered England in the Wellington pool match, ticket sales soared for remaining games involving or expected to involve the Black Caps.

"There was a surge in sales for the quarter-final, which is obviously New Zealand's quarter-final, and the Eden Park semifinal, which could feature the Black Caps."

He said there had been a spike in sales overnight and yesterday for the Afghanistan match and tickets for that and the quarter- and semifinals were selling fast.

Police said only one person out of 40,000 spectators was arrested at Saturday's match against Australia at Eden Park.

"Overall the event ran smoothly and while there was some congestion experienced with moving the crowd in and out of the stadium before and after the game, from a police perspective it can be considered a success," said Inspector Peter Gibson. Twenty-one people were evicted from the stadium for various reasons, including "intoxication and inappropriate behaviour".

Twitter user Jamie Wall wrote: "Just remembered the guy in front of us at #EdenPark yesterday who got p*ssed, passed out and then his mates covered him in garbage."

There were some complaints about bottled water being sold out or unavailable in parts of the stadium. Mr Clark said there were some issues with restocking but there were many free water stations, so thirsty fans never had to go without a drink.

Tipster batting below average

The six-legged oracle making predictions for the Cricket World Cup picked the wrong result again.

The Herald's Cricket the cricket picked the Aussies to beat the Black Caps on Saturday night. Cricket has been making picks for New Zealand and Australian pool games, and has had an unsuccessful tournament so far.

He has correctly picked three out of eight games. Cricket makes his picks when two orange segments are placed in front of him, a flag stuck in each. He drinks from the orange with the flag of the country he predicts will be the victor.

NZ's remaining pool matches

NZ v Afghanistan
11am McLean Park, Napier
Next Sunday

NZ v Bangladesh
2pm Seddon Park, Hamilton
Friday, March 13

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