Bay Oval's feast of cricket

Cricket fans will be dining out on a feast of top class action this summer with international and domestic men's cricket returning to the Bay Oval after a hectic spring.

Afghanistan and Ireland arrived to practise at the Bay Oval, as they left no stone unturned in preparation for next seasons ICC Cricket World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand.


A Northern Knights batsmen carefully watches a ball from Central Stags pace bowler Adam Milne. Photo: Supplied.

Afghanistan won the admiration of Bay of Plenty Cricket fans after two games apiece against Auckland and Northern Districts.

In both series of games, the Afghan visitors came back from defeat in their first encounter to grab revenge against both opposition.

On the first day of 2015, top level cricket returns to the Bay Oval when the Ford Trophy takes centre stage. The Ford Trophy is the New Zealand Cricket Limited Over prize dating back to the 1971/72 season.

During the 1990s, the main ground at Blake Park attracted large holiday crowds, with the Northern Knights taking centre stage against the other five major association teams.

The development of the outstanding wicket and outfield, along with the purpose-built pavilion at the Bay Oval, has seen the return of the Ford Trophy One-Day competition to the Western Bay of Plenty.

While there are likely to be a few bleary eyes and slow starters after the New Year's Eve celebrations, the matchup between the Northern Knights and the Wellington Firebirds on January 1 looks set to draw a big crowd.

Just three days later the Ford Trophy action returns, when the Otago Volts pay a visit to the Bay Oval on January 4.

The last Ford Trophy match at the venue will take place when the Northern Knights square off with arch rivals the Auckland Aces, on January 21.

International cricket returns to the Bay Oval in March, when the England Women play their White Fern counterparts in the first three One-Day matches of the series.

England, who sit at the top of the Women's ODI rankings, will provide a big challenge for the White Ferns

Rounding out the top class action this summer is the first Plunket Shield (four-day) match to be played at the new Blake Park venue, when the Northern Knights take on Canterbury from April 1-4.

BAY OVAL, MOUNT MAUNGANUI - 2015 MATCH SCHEDULE

Ford Trophy

January 1 Northern Knights v Wellington Firebirds

January 4 Northern Knights v Otago Volts

January 21 Northern Knights v Auckland Aces

Women's One Day Internationals

February 11 White Ferns v England

February 13 White Ferns v England

February 15 White Ferns v England

Plunket Shield

April 1-4 Plunket Shield – Northern Knights v Canterbury

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