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A Day at the Cricket - Barry Leabourn

Cricket fans at the Black Caps verses South Africa ANZ Series on Tuesday (21st October 2014), gave the Bay Oval an overwhelming seal of approval, on a day where the Western Bay Oval was comfortably full.

Bay of Plenty Cricket history was made, when the Black Caps loss the toss and batted first against one of the world cricket heavyweights, at the countries latest International Cricket venue, in Mount Maunganui.

The most ringing endorsement of the countries latest ODI venue, came from long time Black Caps fan Sonny Shaw. The Mairangi Bay resident travels the globe each year following the New Zealand National cricket side. “I really like the village green atmosphere that has been created at Mount Maunganui, instead of the concrete jungle at the major cricket stadiums in the world. There is nothing better that standing on a grassy bank to support our national side”. “Test cricket is the ultimate game and I reckon it would be a great venue to stage a Black Caps test match”.

Early starts, were required for many of the fans that travelled from throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, with a good number of spectators on hand well before the first ball was bowled. Walking into the Oval from the Mount Maunganui Cricket Club ground revealed the marvellous sight of the Black Cap Backyard. A kid’s zone and a variety of food and refreshment caravans greeted the day’s patrons. One innovate feature was the ANZ cash machines that ensured ready access to cash during the day.

Sensible housekeeping rules decreed that camp chairs would take centre stage on the top of the banks, while the grassy slopes were reserved for groups on blankets and low beach chairs. One first-time visitor to the Bay Oval was Mount Maunganui Rugby and Sports Club life member Terry Hurdle. “While I have seen the developments of the Bay Oval from a distance on numerous occasions, this is our first visit to the cricket and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience”.

A completely new innovation to the day, was the remote controlled drone taking live video feed of the game from upon high. Lurking around the extremities, the drone would swoop in during key moments in the day’s action.

Several locals featured in the day’s proceedings, with local Black Cap Trent Boult playing a big part in the Black Caps performance. In tandem with New Zealand keeper Luke Ronchi, they put on a new Black Cap ODI 11th wicket partnership record of 74 runs, with Trent contributing an unbeaten 21 runs. Boult also got the crowd to its feet with his express bowling which took two early South African wickets.

The loudest cheer of the day came when Trent Boult blasted a ball over the boundary fence for six. Former Northern Knight and Tauranga Boys College first XI player/coach Mark Orchard played a valuable but unseen role as part of the Radio Sport commentary team.

Peter and his wife from Maungatapu, celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary at the game. The long time cricket fans that had previously been to some Northern Knights encounters at the Bay Oval and said it was marvellous to have international cricket at the Bay Oval and that everyone seemed to be enjoying their day out. Similarly a nearby group of six from Whakatane thought it was a great venue and would certainly return in the future to see the Black Caps in action. 

While the ANZ Series game one result showed that the New Zealand team lost by six wickets, the Black Caps get their chance for revenge at the Bay Oval on Friday, when the two sides again go to battle in game two. The final stanza in the ANZ Series will be played out on Labour Day Monday (27 October 2014) at Seddon Park in Hamilton.