‘Bloody good’ cricket includes stag party

Sri Lanka cricket fans watch from the top of Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Saturday as...
Sri Lanka cricket fans watch from the top of Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Saturday as their team gave the Black Caps a good fight. PHOTOS: MELISSA READY
Stags, flags and marriage proposals.

That seemed to just about sum up the crowd at the first Black Caps match in Queenstown in more than nine years.

The 5855-strong audience to the deciding twenty20 between New Zealand and Sri Lanka welcomed back men’s test cricket on Saturday and were treated to what many could only describe as "a bloody good arvo" as they left Sir John Davies Oval.

Invercargill’s Kyle McKenzie and his mates provided much of the off-pitch entertainment, with Mr McKenzie dressed in his whites — both cricket and wedding — to celebrate his stag party.

Invercargill’s Kyle McKenzie gets the crowd pumping in what he reassured was not his bride-to-be...
Invercargill’s Kyle McKenzie gets the crowd pumping in what he reassured was not his bride-to-be’s wedding dress.
Despite his existing betrothal, he was more than happy to declare his love for Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, carrying around a sign asking for Mr Neesham’s hand in marriage.

On the other side of the pitch, a host of Sri Lanka fans donning colourful wigs, waving flags and having an all-round good time kept the energy pumping throughout both innings.

There were whispers of a super-over from Sri Lankans as the last few balls became intense, but as the Black Caps pulled through, the visitors’ fans were still smiling.

melissa.ready@odt.co.nz

 

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