International Cricket Legends to play in Qyeenstown

International Cricket Legends to play in the BMW New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Some of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game will swap their bats for golf clubs, and resume battle at the BMW New Zealand Open when they line up in the inaugural ANZ Celebrity Challenge from March 12-15.

West Indians Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara, Englishmen Sir Ian Botham and Graeme Swann, Australians Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne and New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle and Mark Richardson will all be contesting the event, as amateur golfers in a Pro-Am teams format, to be branded the ANZ Celebrity Challenge.

Botham returns after first playing as a celebrity at The Hills in 2013, jumping at the chance to take up the challenge again this year.

“I find it difficult to turn down the chance to come and play golf in New Zealand, especially in Queenstown with its stunning scenery and fantastic food and wine,” said Botham. “I have played in the Dunhill event for many years, and it’s just great to see a tournament played across similar lines being held in New Zealand”.

An added incentive for Botham this year is the chance to play alongside living legend Sir Viv Richards. The two enjoyed a great rivalry on the cricket field during the 1980s and were equally good friends off the field. These days, they are more concerned with their short game than tearing opposition teams apart.

Meanwhile, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and long time Australian rival Ricky Ponting are back for the second year running to try to beat each other on the manicured fairways of The Hills and Millbrook. Ponting showed his golfing class with six birdies in the opening round in 2013, so Fleming will have his work cut out to beat his Aussie mate.

Ponting was just thrilled to be coming back for another crack. “I can’t wait for the chance to pit my golfing skills again with some of the best cricketing names in the game. The BMW New Zealand Open is a fantastic event and I love coming to Queenstown to be part of the action,” he said.

Fleming was equally enthused. “This tournament is always a key date in my diary. Its heaps of fun, especially as I get to battle it out with my cricketing peers on the golf course in such a beautiful setting,” said Fleming. “My experience of playing in 2014 event would rank up there with some of the best sporting moments in my entire career”.

Like Ponting and Fleming, former Black Caps opener Mark Richardson is taking up the challenge once again, while Brian Lara, Nathan Astle, Shane Warne and Graeme Swann are making their debuts. No doubt all will be keen to outstrip their cricket rivals in the ANZ Celebrity Challenge, which promises plenty of fireworks and maybe some good-natured sledging along the way.

Shane Warne added that he was “really excited to be a part of the Pro-Am” and that “hopefully I can find some form before the tournament starts! I absolutely loved my last round at The Hills late last year, and am looking forward to getting back out there again”.

John Hart, Chairman of the BMW New Zealand Open organising committee welcomed the opportunity to have New Zealand’s most prestigous golf event align with the Cricket World Cup. “It is quite unique to have this incredible line-up of cricket legends come to New Zealand as a group for the first time. Our tournament creates the opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s co-hosting of the Cricket World Cup, and to enjoy the banter and rivalry that exists amongst this group of legendary sportsmen.”

Susan McGregor, ANZ’s Head of Corporate Marketing and Sponsorship, said the ANZ Celebrity Challenge will inject some highly competitive celebrity fun into the professional tournament, which is a tier one event on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“ANZ is proud to be able to bring some of the world’s greatest cricketers to this year’s BMW New Zealand Open as part of our summer celebration of everything Cricket.

“The ANZ Celebrity Challenge will be fun but, make no mistake, the competition will be fierce. As supporters of cricket in New Zealand for more than 15 years and golf for a number of years we’ve learnt that the one thing the two sports have in common is intensely competitive players.

“It will make compelling viewing to see these legends of cricket go head-to-head on the golf course and we’re thrilled to be part of one of the world’s most unique National Opens.”

ANZ Celebrity Challenge format:

• Each cricket legend will be partnered by a professional in a 2-ball best-ball team format;

• Each professional competes for the BMW New Zealand Open as an individual, but for this competition 10 professionals will partner 10 celebrity cricketers, and compete for the ANZ Celebrity challenge teams event.

• Celebrities all play off their official handicaps

• Lowest ANZ Celebrity Challenge team score over the 4 days wins the ANZ Celebrity Challenge Cup

The BMW New Zealand Open, incorporating the ANZ Celebrity Challenge will be played at The Hills and Millbrook Resort from March 12-15, 2015.

ENDS

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