Photo: Trade Me
The Black Caps will auction off two signed shirts from the historic Test match against England in Wellington to help raise funds for those communities devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle, and future disasters.
ANZ NZ and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have combined forces to assist the New Zealand Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund, dedicating the opening ODI of the Sri Lanka-Black Caps series (at Eden Park on Sunday, 25 March) to raising funds for those adversely affected by the weather events.
The fundraising initiative, to be known as "Pitch In", will start with ANZ NZ donating $1 million to the cause and NZC donating all ticket sales from the match.
England captain Ben Stokes (left) and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee share the spoils after the series was drawn 1-all. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
New Zealand captain Tim Southee said being able to donate two of the shirts from the famous Test match - just the second in history to be won by a solitary run and the fourth by a team asked to follow-on, would hopefully motivate bidders to get hold of something unique, while also helping out fellow Kiwis.
"The players really wanted to do something to help so we got together with a few of the England players and secured a signed shirt from each the Black Caps and England sides to auction off.
"We encourage people to get behind the campaign and play a part in helping the many Kiwis who've been so badly impacted."
New Zealand Red Cross general manager Shane Chisholm said, "ANZ 'Pitch In' will directly support the New Zealand Disaster Fund and help ensure we are ready to deploy our people and to supply specialist disaster response equipment and technical expertise at a moment's notice, anywhere across the country".
-RNZ