A SMORGASBORD OF TOP CLASS CRICKET AT THE BAY OVAL IN EARLY 2015

Posted: Monday, 22 December 2014

International and domestics men’s cricket returns to the Bay Oval at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, after a hectic spring of visiting international teams.

Afghanistan and Ireland arrived to practise at the Bay Oval, as they left no stone unturned in preparation for next seasons ICC Cricket World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Afghanistan won the admiration of Bay of Plenty Cricket fans after two games apiece against Auckland and Northern Districts. In both series of games, the Afghan visitors came back from defeat in their first encounter, to grab revenge against both the Auckland Aces and the Northern Knights.

On the first day of 2015, top level cricket returns to the Bay Oval when the Ford Trophy takes centre stage. The Ford Trophy is the New Zealand Cricket Limited Over (50 over’s per team) prize, that dates back to the 1971-72 season.

During the 1990’s, the main ground at Blake Park attracted large holiday crowds to the NZ Cricket One-Day Games, with the Northern Knights taking centre stage against the other five major association teams. The development of the outstanding wicket and outfield along with the purpose built pavilion at the Bay Oval, has seen the return of the Ford Trophy One-Day competition to the Western Bay of Plenty.

While there are likely to be a few bleary eyes and slow starters after New Year’s Eve celebrations – the matchup between the Northern Knights and the Wellington Firebirds on 1st January 2015, will have cricket fans sitting up and taking notice, as the big hitters from both sides endeavor to blast the ball over the boundary.

Just three days later the Ford Trophy action returns, when the Otago Volts pay a visit to the Bay Oval on Sunday 4th January 2015. The last Ford Trophy match at the Bay Oval in January. will take place when the Northern Knights square off with their arch rivals in the Auckland Aces, on Wednesday 21st January 2015.

International cricket returns to the Bay Oval in March, when the England Women play their White Fern counterparts in the first three One-Day matches of the series. England who are ranked at the top of the Women’s ODI rankings will provide a big challenge for the White Ferns

Rounding out the top class action at the Bay Oval this summer, is the first Plunket Shield (four-day) match to be played at the new Blake Park venue, when the Northern Knights take on Canterbury 1st to 4th April 2015.

BAY OVAL, MOUNT MAUNGANUI - 2015 MATCH SCHEDULE
Ford Trophy
January 1 Northern Knights v Wellington Firebirds
January 4 Northern Knights v Otago Volts
January 21 Northern Knights v Auckland Aces

Women’s One Day Internationals
February 11 White Ferns v England
February 13 White Ferns v England
February 15 White Ferns v England

Plunket Shield
April 1-4 Plunket Shield – Northern Knights v Canterbury

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