Christchurch to host World Cup final

Christchurch’s Hagley Oval will host the ICC 2021 Women’s Cricket World Cup final, with Seddon Park in Hamilton and Tauranga’s Bay Oval to host the semifinals.

The announcement yesterday in Auckland was made with a ‘‘relaxed New Zealand flavour’’; a BBQ and beach cricket featuring current and former international women’s and men’s cricketers.

It will be the second time Canterbury has hosted the final of the tournament.

Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln was the venue of the thrilling 2000 World Cup final between the White Ferns and

Australia.

It was the first and only time a New Zealand cricket team has lifted a World Cup.

Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin will host pool-play matches during the month-long tournament, starting in early February 2021.

International cricket venues in Nelson, Whangarei, Napier and Alexandra missed out.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 chief executive Andrea Nelson said there was initial interest from all 11 ICC ODIaccredited venues.

Factors including national reach, scheduling and host-city enthusiasm played a role in where the 31 games were allocated.

Wellington’s Basin Reserve will host pool-play matches, but was ruled out of hosting a semifinal as there are no lights at the ground.

‘‘The finals need to be under lights for the international broadcast market,’’ Nelson said. ‘‘But we are excited to bring ODI cricket back to the Basin.’’

Former White Ferns captain-turnedcommentator Emily Drumm still has very vivid memories of lifting the 2000 Cricket World Cup.

‘‘It was the greatest day ever,’’ Drumm said. ‘‘We finally struck gold. It was my Everest.’’

Even now when she catches up with team-mates from that time, they reminisce.

New Zealand Cricket will provide support and resources to the team leading the World Cup to ensure the event meets ICC and NZC ‘‘expectations’’.