Chappell-Hadlee Trophy at stake in Australia-New Zealand clash

Melbourne, Feb 24 (IANS) Saturday’s cricket World Cup clash between co-hosts Australia and New Zealand in Auckland will be more than just the race for quarter-finals and Trans-Tasman bragging rights -- it will also be played with the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy at stake.

Named after two of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest cricketing families, the trophy currently resides in Australia, who retained it after a seven-wicket win against the Black Caps in Nagpur during the 2011 World Cup.

But now it is up for grabs again at Eden Park as both sides seek to defend their unbeaten starts to the 2015 tournament they are jointly hosting.

“It is not as if either side needs any added incentive when playing each other but the fact the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is on the line Saturday certainly provides it. Australia and New Zealand are two of the most in-form sides in world cricket at the moment and matches between us have invariably produced excitement and drama," Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive officer (CEO) James Sutherland said.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO David White said he was delighted the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy was once again on the line.

“The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy brings to mind the rich history of New Zealand-Australia one-day contests and two of the families who played such prominent roles in the early rivalry. Having it contested alongside such an important fixture as a World Cup match only reflects its significance for both Australians and New Zealanders,” said White.

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is played for in One-Day Internationals (ODI) between the two countries and was first contested in December 2004.

The trophy is named after the Chappell family from Australia with three brothers, Ian, Greg and Trevor, and from New Zealand the Hadlee family, with father Walter and his three sons Barry, Dayle and Richard, all representing their countries.