Go the Black Caps! A3-9, SPORT S1-4
World Cup semifinal coverage
The Black Caps are on the verge of history and a massive $100,000 bonus each if they win today’s Cricket World Cup semifinal against South Africa at Eden Park And, along with the headline stars, they’ll be relying on a new fast bowler to help them — we profile Matt Henry, a late ring-in who’s replaced the injured Adam Milne Special coverage of the semifinal, plus the science of THAT Daniel Vettori catch: How high he jumped, and how it compares to an NBA dunk
Brendon McCullum and his men have already pocketed $74,267 each so far this World Cup — just a fraction more than the amount earned by seven lucky Tui Catch-a-Million winners, who have each provisionally won $71,429.
With six wins so far in the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament, the Black Caps will each share a portion of $1.114 million in prizemoney.
But if they edge out South Africa in today’s do-or-die semifinal at Eden Park, the players’ prizemoney will jump to $172,533 each.
And if the team go on to win the tournament, the Black Caps’ total prizemoney earnings will jump to a massive $5.138 million.
Divided between the 15-man squad that would see players pocket a cool $342,533 each.
The tournament has a total prize pool of almost $13 million.
The seven Tui one-handed catchers stand to share a $500,000 prize pool. But the money will jackpot to $750,000 if the Black Caps beat South Africa and hit $1 million if they take out the tournament.
If the number of Tui catchers remains at seven, and if the Black Caps win, the catchers will each get $142,857.
Tickets have sold out for today’s match, which starts at 2pm, and will see a capacity 40,000-strong crowd.
Pubs are bracing for thirsty cricket fans who missed out on tickets and young fans will be racing home from school to catch up with the action.
The ICC suggests those keen to get along to Eden Park should keep an eye on its website in case there’s a last-minute ticket “hand-back” from commercial partners. The official World Cup website also features a marketplace where people can buy and sell tickets at their original price.
Scalping, or the resale of tournament tickets for a profit, is banned and ICC spokesman Philip Clark said security at Eden Park would be tight today.
“There will be a much stronger security presence than you would see at a normal cricket match.”
In charge of the police presence at the Auckland game is Inspector Peter Gibson, who remained tight-lipped about the number of police staff keeping things in order at and around Eden Park today. “We’ve got sufficient measures in place to ensure that we have a safe environment for the players as well as the patrons to enjoy the event.”
During the Cricket World Cup, police have for the first time worked with voluntary wardens including Maori, Pacific Island and Asian and community wardens, who would assist police at matches.
“We’ve got over 100 of them working and they’re assisting us to make sure all the transport routes are safe, including for people who want to walk to the game or travel by train.”
He said there would also be specialist staff monitoring alcohol use and sales in and around the ground.
To get to the game, Auckland Transport has added extra bus and train services, and special event buses will head to the park from locations around Auckland, including Manukau and the North Shore. Bus and train transport is free with a game ticket.
But for those who can’t make it to the stadium, Prime will air the game live, from 1.30pm, as will Sky Sport.
As of last night, the TAB odds favoured South Africa, with the Proteas paying $1.75 and New Zealand $2 for the win.
Scattered showers are forecast by the MetService this morning, but becoming isolated in the afternoon as fine spells develop.