ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Overview 12 Feb 2015
Watched by an estimated quarter of the world's population - an audience of over two billion - the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup is the perfect opportunity to experience the buzz of a high stakes global sports event with ample time to explore a relatively small yet stunningly diverse country in between.
Battle for world crown
Held every four years, the world's top 14 One-Day International (ODI) teams battle for the world crown, the honours so hard fought that even the world's greatest cricketers treasure that rare moment in their career when a winner's medal is draped around their neck.
Despite being great traditional rivals on the pitch, New Zealand is co-hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup with Australia and, cricket being New Zealand's national summer game, there will not be a corner of the country where you won't be able to strike up a conversation about winners and wickets.
It's an event sports-mad Kiwis are already looking forward to so if you love your cricket, expect to be welcomed to the nationwide party celebrating the event taking place in New Zealand.
Premier showcase
This is only the second time that the county has ever hosted the premier showcase - and no Kiwi cricket fan has forgotten the excitement of 1992 when the Cricket World Cup first visited these shores.
That's when New Zealand's side, brilliantly led by Kiwi batting great Martin Crowe, quickly established itself as the hottest team of the tournament, winning seven games on the trot to storm into the semi-finals. This wildly exceeded pre-tournament expectations and captured the imagination of both home fans and cricket aficionados around the world.
New Zealand had never won the coveted title, so you can imagine the excitement. However, hopes and dreams came dramatically unstuck in the sudden death semi-final at Auckland's famous Eden Park when Crowe pulled up lame while batting.
He had torn his hamstring, sidelining him from the rest of the game and a stand-in captain having to take his place when it was their turn to field. Without its star tactician, New Zealand lost the big match to Pakistan - who carried on to claim the Cup for their first time by beating England in the final.
New Zealand's finest
Now known as the BLACKCAPS, two decades have followed and still New Zealand's finest players haven't got their hands on the magnificent silver and gilt trophy - but they have made a habit of punching above their weight.
Familiar pitch conditions, dictated by climate and soil types, create a slight home advantage in cricket so ardent supporters will be hoping the BLACKCAPS can at last emulate their world champion rugby cousins the All Blacks.
Comprised of 50 overs per side (each over consisting of six balls from the bowler), a One-Day International match is renowned as a great value-for-money summer sporting event that often goes down to the wire.
In a tight match, batsmen come under increasing pressure to hit big and high into the crowd, while bowlers and fielders must stay right on top of their game in a sport where the slightest miscalculation usually ends badly.
Major countries competing
First staged in 1975, the 2015 Cricket World Cup tournament will be the 40th anniversary event with title-holders India among the exciting major countries competing.
Spectators can take in all New Zealand has to offer with 27 matches shared among the seven host cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Napier and Wellington in the North Island and Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin in the spectacular south. So much to see, do and explore between the big games, all on the doorstep of the host venues.
The action begins on 14 February 2015 and Eden Park will, once again, host a semi-final on 24 March. There's nothing like being there - and cricket fans won't want to miss the excitement.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more