High praise for NZ as World Cup co-hosts

New Zealand's World Cup boss Therese Walsh is delighted at the way the event captured the nation. Photo / Michael Craig

New Zealand's performance as co-hosts of the World Cup has received high praise from cricket's international body.

The final game in New Zealand was the thrilling semifinal victory over South Africa at Eden Park on Tuesday night.

The last two games are the second semifinal between Australia and India in Sydney tonight and the final in Melbourne between New Zealand and the winner of tonight's clash on Sunday.

"New Zealand has been a great host to the 14 teams and the seven host cities have come alive with the colour and vibrancy that makes this tournament so special," International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson said.

"The fans have been amazing and your seven venues have also given the World Cup its most vital ingredient for success - great pitches that have enabled the best players in the world to showcase their skills to fans here and around the world."

Former South African wicketkeeper Richardson also praised the work of more than 2000 volunteers during the cup for their "special contribution" to the cup's success.

New Zealand's World Cup boss Therese Walsh is delighted at the way the event captured the nation.

"The ICC just given us huge gold star," she said.

"Operationally we haven't had a major, or significant, glitch, which you're always at risk of when running something this big on a global stage."

Walsh said in terms of crowd attendances, New Zealand had drawn about 325,000 spectators, up towards 80 per cent capacity across all 23 games.

Walsh said given the ticketing and attendance numbers "we are happy that we have certainly protected, but probably enhanced, New Zealand's major events reputation.

"The Rugby World Cup [in 2011] was one thing, but we are not a one trick pony and we can keep knocking them out of the park."

Some staff finish their contracts at the end of this month, but others have another couple of months work to tidy up the operation, which will include final accounting, shareholder reporting and looking at the economic impact for New Zealand.

Around 40,000-50,000 visitors are understood to have come to New Zealand specifically for the cup.

The Wellington weekend, for example, when New Zealand played England is thought to have had a $10 million direct economic impact.