AUCKLAND, New Zealand, November 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
100 Days to go Until Opening Match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Four trans-Tasman cricket legends have taken the game of cricket to new heights batting and bowling on top of the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge in New Zealand.
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The unconventional game of early-morning cricket saw former BLACKCAP player and captain, Stephen Fleming and former BLACKCAP Chris Harris playing against former Australian bowlers and ICC Cricket World Cup winners Andy Bichel and Damien Fleming on the 43 metre-high bridge to mark 100 days until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 begins in New Zealand and Australia on 14 February.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge, home of the world's first harbour bridge bungy jump, and the only ocean touch bungy, is the most strategically important and visually impressive bridge in New Zealand carrying up to 200,000 vehicles a day, spanning the majestic Waitemata Harbour and offering panoramic views across the city and Auckland's famous volcanic cones.
The spectacular location did not go unnoticed by the players with Stephen Fleming, who currently coaches the Chennai Super Kings - recent winners of the 2014 Champions League Twenty20 in Bangalore - commenting he has played on the world's top cricket grounds but never a bridge before.
"You play your career but you don't think about playing on a bridge! It was definitely unusual but equally amazing batting on top of such an iconic structure."
Brisbane-based Andy Bichel, who was part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 win by Australia, says "It's a privilege to come to New Zealand and play on the bridge, it's a unique venue. Playing on the bridge to mark 100 days doesn't happen every day."
Chris Harris, who resides in Christchurch, and Damien Fleming from Melbourne, were equally inspired by the location, taking to the water after the game to enjoy a jet-boat ride on the Waitemata Harbour which the pair described as nearly as exhilarating as cricket on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
New Zealand co-hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with Australia from 14 February until 29 March 2015. Auckland will host four games including the highly-anticipated New Zealand vs Australia match at Eden Park on 28 February; Pakistan vs Zimbabwe on 7 March, India vs Zimbabwe on Saturday 14 March and an all-important semi-final on 24 March.
In total New Zealand will host 23 out of 49 matches over the six-week tournament giving cricket fans, including those from England, Ireland and Scotland, the chance to weave in a holiday around some of the country's most beautiful locations and cricket grounds.
South Island city Christchurch will stage the tournament's New Zealand opening on 12 February with an immersive fan experience ahead of the first match between New Zealand Sri Lanka on 14 February at Hagley Oval.
In 2011, New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup with four million New Zealanders giving visitors a warm and uniquely Kiwi welcome. That same hospitality will be extended to cricket fans from regional events to in-stadia entertainment.
Thursday 6 November also marks the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy tour across New Zealand and Australia.
For more information on visitor experiences around the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in New Zealand visit http://www.newzealand.com/int
For more information on the ICC Cricket World Cup visit http://www.cricketworldcup.com
For further images and information visit http://media.newzealand.com/en/
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