Features

Cricket fans offered chance to play at Eden Park

Auckland’s Eden Park stadium is offering cricket fans the chance to use its international-standard pitch as part of plans to make greater utilisation of the venue.

Eden Park Trust is auctioning off the prize, which has been given a reserve price of NZ$5,000 (£2,600/€3,000/$3,400). The auction will end at 8pm local time on Thursday.

The lucky fans will take to the field this Saturday and use the same wicket that will be used during New Zealand’s match against India a day earlier.

The New Zealand Herald newspaper reports that the prize includes access to the turf and changing rooms, with players to also have their names appear on Eden Park’s super screens and LED boards.

The match will be played by up to two teams of 12 people, along with 15 supporters per side. Fans will have access to the pitch for four hours and will also receive a meal courtesy of Eden Park’s chefs.

Nick Sautner, Eden Park Trust chief executive, said: “We field countless requests to access the hallowed turf and this is the first time an international cricket wicket is being made available to Kiwis by an award-winning turf team.”

Image: TimBray