Sunshine, a day off school, chips, hot dogs and test cricket - it was all children needed to have fun at the University Oval yesterday.
About 400 pupils, from 14 different schools, were provided with free tickets and transport to the opening day of the first test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Dunedin.
New Zealand Cricket provided all Cricket Smart schools in Otago with 50 free tickets to the match, in an attempt to boost interest in the game among school-aged children.
Logan Whitty (13), of Abbotsford School, had his cricket bat and ball at the ground and was enjoying the atmosphere.
"Being out, sitting in the sun, watching a great game of cricket is better than being stuck inside doing work,'' Logan said.
Erandi Gamage (11), of Green Island School, had a dilemma as to which of the teams to support because she was born in Sri Lanka.
She said it was good to be able to come and watch the cricket and she was supporting both teams.
Niko Taimalie (11), of Concord School, said it was "cool'' to be able to watch the Black Caps.
"It's way better than maths,'' he said.
The excitable pupils waved flags, chanted ‘‘Black Caps'' and had a game of their own during the lunch break.
New Zealand Cricket general manager, commercial, James Wear said it was a great opportunity to get children to the cricket.
"For us, it's important the kids remember the first day they went to an international cricket match. It's about giving them that chance to see their heroes up close.''
