WC: Australia, New Zealand to play for Chappell-Hadlee Trophy

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Melbourne, Feb 24: The much-awaited World Cup clash between co-hosts Australia and New Zealand will be about more than just the race for quarter-final places with the cricket borads of both countries today confirming that the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be at stake.

World Cup Special

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

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

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said: "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 on Saturday certainly provides it.

"The trophy is named after two of our great cricketing families and so to have it at stake in this highly anticipated match is entirely appropriate.

"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" New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive 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," said White.

"Having it contested alongside such an important fixture as an ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match only reflects its significance for both Australians and New Zealanders."

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is played for in One-Day International matches 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 all playing for Australia - and, from New Zealand, the Hadlee family, with father Walter and his three sons Barry, Dayle and Sir Richard all representing their country.

PTI