The Rebel Sport Community Cricket match is a free community event that starts at 4.00 pm on Sunday, February 23 at the Millbrook Cricket Ground near Arrowtown, with families and sports lovers encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the atmosphere.
Held for the second year running and sponsored by Rebel Sport, the New Zealand Open Ambassadors who are in town for the tournament will swap golf clubs for cricket bats include Beauden Barrett, Israel Dagg, Stephen Fleming, Jeff Wilson and Chris Harris.
International cricket umpire and former New Zealand cricketer Chris Gaffeney is also picking up the bat again for the celebrity hit-out.
Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, and injured local golfer Ben Campbell will be coaches and non-playing captains, while the formidable brothers’ duo Glenn (cricket) and Greg (golf) Turner will umpire.
Facing up against the Tournament team will be a handful of young up and coming Wakatipu High School cricketers who will get their chance to play against their heroes in the Queenstown All-Stars team.
They include former All Black Justin Marshall’s son, Lachlan and students Seth Mawhinney, Angus Herron, Gabe White and Jordan Gibbons, alongside six other players from the local T20 league.
The match will be a T10 format, 10 overs aside, and is expected to last about two hours, come rain or shine. It will be MC’d by local sports personality and radio presenter Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson.
Rebel Sport will help keep it fun with activations and giveaways on the day.
The 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport, will be held at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from 27 February to 1 March 2020 and will be live on Sky Sport 6.
