Hollywood vs Wellywood fills The Basin
14 Mar 2011
A ‘Hollywood vs Wellywood’ style charity cricket match, which pitched professionals against politicians and celebrities at Wellington’s Basin Reserve yesterday (13.3.11), has raised more than half a million dollars for Christchurch earthquake victims.
One of the largest crowds ever to fill the famous Basin Reserve observed a minute’s silence before watching Prime Minister John Key sledge Aussie cricket star Shane Warne in an action-packed, crowd-pleasing match that also involved the Gladiator, several Hobbits and Gandalf.
The ‘Fill the Basin for Christchurch’ event was organised by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming who was born in Christchurch.
New Zealand legends
Oscar-winner Russell Crowe, Kiwi actor Mark Hadlow and The Hobbit’s Sir Ian McKellen, James Nesbitt and Martin Freeman all supported the event along with New Zealand sporting legends, including former All Black captain Tana Umaga and current captain Richie McCaw.
More than 10,000 people - many wearing red and black in support of Canterbury - supported the Twenty20 match designed to raise money and lift the spirits of those affected by last month’s earthquake.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who also attended, said he felt the people of Christchurch would be inspired by the support of fellow Kiwis.
Cricket's "glory days"
Commentators said the charity match had returned The Basin Reserve to the "glory days" when punters would queue at dawn and the only space in the sun-drenched ground was halfway up a native New Zealand pohutukawa tree.
The Basin Reserve, commonly known as The Basin, is New Zealand’s oldest first-class cricket ground and an iconic feature of central Wellington. Once a shallow lagoon linked to the inner harbour, it was drained to provide a nine-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 - coached the Wellington Legends XI, captained by Kiwi batting legend Martin Crowe.
The Canterbury Invitation XI was coached by Martin’s cousin, Wellington-born Russell Crowe, known for his roles in blockbusters such as The Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
Australian leg spinning legend Shane Warne joined the Canterbury team, and the innings break saw a standoff between Warne and Prime Minister Key.
With $100,000 at stake and a false start, when Warne bowled underarm to Key, the Prime Minister went on to connect for a four netting the cash for Christchurch, courtesy of Fujitsu.
Celebrity referees
In Wellington to reprise his role of Gandalf, the Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen worked his magic as match referee.
The Office’s Martin Freeman - who has bagged The Hobbit’s star role of Bilbo Baggins - also took turns at the 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 helped make up a strong Canterbury XI, while bowling legend Sir Richard Hadlee opened the bowling for the side.
The Wellington Legends XI included former heroes of The Basin such as Bruce Edgar, Ewen Chatfield, Andrew Jones, Gavin Larsen and Roger Twose.
Background: Wellington
Listed as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’, Wellington is #4 on Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011’s list of top 10 cities to visit this year.
A compact urban 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
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