New Zealand, Australia cricketers pay tribute to quake victims (Diary)

NAGPUR - New Zealand and Australian cricketers were overcome with emotion as they paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake before the start of their World Cup match here Friday.

The players observed a minutes silence at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha.

Later, when the national anthem was played, Kyle Mills and Ross Taylor were almost in tears.

Both teams wore black arm bands and the team flags at the stadium were flown at half-mast.

Christchurch, the second largest city in New Zealand, was devastated by Tuesday’s earthquake. More than 100 people have lost their lives and nearly 200 are missing.

New Zealand team physiotherapist Dayle Shackel and trainer Bryan Stronach have flown home to Christchurch to attend their families. The duo is expected to re-join the team next week.

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Proud moment for Ian Chappell

It was a proud moment for former Australian captain Ian Chappell as his familys name got associated with city of Nagpur after the Group A World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand.

The match got the status of annual Chappell-Hadlee Trophy as this was the only ODI between the two teams this year.

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is an annual ODI series between Australia and New Zealand. It is named after legendary cricketing families from the two countries, the Chappell brothers (Ian, Gregory, and Trevor) of Australia and Walter Hadlee and his three sons, (Barry, Dayle and Sir Richard), of New Zealand.

The 67-year-old Ian, who is here as a commentator, said it was proud moment for him.

“It is a great honour for me and my family. This is the first time the trophy is being played outside Australia or New Zealand and that too during the World Cup,” he said.

Chappell and Dayle will be awarding the trophy to the winning captain.

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Empty stadiums for Trans-Tasman clash

The World Cup is mostly running in front of empty seats and not even the great rivalry of the Trans-Tasman attracted crowds to the swanky stadium here on the outskirts of the city.

A crowd of 10,000, mostly school children, turned up at the 45,000 seater stadium, which is 25 km away from the city.

Apart from for the matches of the home team, the crowds are not turning out in the stadiums in large numbers.