Cricket World Cup: Shirts run short as Black Caps soar

As the popularity of the New Zealand team reaches fever pitch, sales of the Black Caps' official World Cup replica shirt have skyrocketed. Photo / NZME.

Huge demand by fans leaves suppliers out of stock in most sizes.

The Black Caps' official World Cup replica shirt is selling out as the popularity of the team reaches fever pitch.

On the team's website, a message has been posted to those trying to buy the $120 shirt, which features "New Zealand" written across the chest and a blue fern design on the back.

"Please note the only sizes we currently have available are XS and S. Unfortunately both us and the supplier are completely sold out of the other sizes."

Supplier Canterbury NZ confirmed demand had been huge and despite ordering emergency stock last month that, too, had been devoured by fans.

Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson's World Cup batting heroics inspired the Twitter hashtag '#SteadyTheShip'. Photo / Brett Phibbs

National sales manager Dwaynne Barrie said the company had sold "significantly more" stock than was usually sold in a Black Caps season.

"The team's fantastic performance in their matches prior and during the World Cup has seen momentum build, which has resulted in the demand for merchandise outstripping the current supply."

The company supplies the official World Cup and Black Caps gear to retailers including Rebel Sports, Stirling Sports and other outlets.

Canterbury NZ has held off placing more orders as the shirts are made in China and take about 12 weeks to arrive in New Zealand.

A look through several sportsgear retailers' websites found most had "out of stock" messages, while others had only small sizes available.

Only a few listings for the shirt popped up on Trade Me - the cheapest going for $80 "buy now".

New Zealand Cricket commercial general manager James Wear said it was a good feeling knowing the whole country was backing the team - as shown by the number of shirt sales.

"It's fantastic to see how popular the shirts are and the way theteam is playing has a lot do withthat."

Mr Wear said some stock had been reserved for ground sales on match day and he encouraged people to do their best to pick up limited stock.

T-shirt store Mr Vintage New Zealand is selling an alternative range of T-shirts paying tribute to the Black Caps.

Designs include a play on a skull and crossbones - with the skeleton wearing a Black Caps helmet and two bats replacing the bones.

Other shirts give a nod to players including Brendon McCullum, with one reading: "B-Mac Attack" and another with Kane Williamson on a ship with a black fern sail and the message: "Steady the ship, Williamson".