Hollywood meets Wellywood on cricket pitch
09 Mar 2011
With the Gladiator, a selection of Hobbits and Gandalf defending the wickets, a Sunday cricket game in Wellington, New Zealand, is about to pitch Hollywood against Wellywood.
The celebrity cast assembled from around the world is lining up to ‘Fill the Basin for Christchurch’ this Sunday (13.03.2011) with a charity cricket match supporting Christchurch earthquake victims.
Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and The Hobbit’s Sir Ian McKellen, James Nesbitt and Martin Freeman are lending their star power to the sell-out match at Wellington’s Basin Reserve cricket ground.
New Zealand legends
The movie stars will join a raft of New Zealand sporting legends, including former All Black captain Tana Umaga and current captain Richie McCaw, in a Twenty20 cricket match that aims to raise funds and spirits for Christchurch following last month’s earthquake.
The Basin Reserve cricket ground - commonly known as The Basin and New Zealand’s oldest first-class cricket ground - is an iconic feature of central Wellington. Once a shallow lagoon linked to the inner harbour, it was drained to provide a 9-acre green park that has hosted many famous games.
Wellington is no stranger to celebrity events, especially since local movie legend Sir Peter Jackson set up his international film empire in the city suburb of Miramar just a few minutes from The Basin.
Wellington vs Canterbury
Spooks star Nesbitt - in Wellington for filming of Jackson’s much anticipated The Hobbit movies - will coach the Wellington Legends XI, captained by Kiwi batting legend Martin Crowe.
His team is pitted against a Canterbury Invitation XI coached by Martin’s cousin, Wellington-born Russell Crowe, known for his roles in blockbusters such as The Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
‘Fill the Basin’ organiser and former Blackcaps captain Stephen Fleming will captain the Canterbury side.
Australian leg spinning legend Shane Warne will also pitch in, joining the Canterbury team. Event organisers are also auctioning off the chance to be ‘Bowled Over’ by the master of spin between innings on New Zealand online auction site Trade Me.
Celebrity referees
In Wellington to reprise his role of Gandalf, Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen will be working his magic as match referee.
The Office’s Martin Freeman - who has bagged The Hobbit’s star role of Bilbo Baggins - will share umpiring duties with McCaw, All Black Conrad Smith and fellow The Hobbit cast member Mark Hadlow.
Recent cricket internationals Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore and Dion Nash will make up a strong Canterbury XI, while bowling legend Sir Richard Hadlee is included in the side but may take the field only briefly and instead run the collection bucket.
The Wellington Legends XI includes former heroes of the Basin such as Bruce Edgar, Ewen Chatfield, Andrew Jones, Gavin Larsen and Roger Twose.
Cricket team line-up
Wellington XI: Martin Crowe (captain), Andrew Jones, Bruce Edgar, Roger Twose, Chris Nevin, Matthew Bell, Jason Wells, Gavin Larsen, Richard Petrie, Jonathan Millmow, Ewen Chatfield, Tana Umaga
Coach: James Nesbitt
Canterbury XI: Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mark Greatbatch, Craig McMillan, Rod Latham, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Justin Vaughan, Shane Warne, Richard Hadlee, Geoff Allott, Marc Ellis
Coach: Russell Crowe
Background: Wellington
Listed as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’, Wellington is #4 on the Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2011 list of top 10 cities to visit this year.
A compact city with a natural soul, Wellington is a harbour capital embraced by ocean and hill.
Sitting at the bottom of New Zealand’s North Island, the city sets the native and historic stories of ‘the youngest country on earth’ against a classy urban scene of world class filmmaking, coffee, cocktails and cuisine.
The gateway between the North and South islands is tucked between two of the country’s finest wine regions - Marlborough and Martinborough.
More information
Christchurch tourism industry moves forward
Royal support heading for Christchurch
Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
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