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New Zealand cricketer: Mitchell McClenaghan
With the Cricket World Cup – one of the biggest sporting events in the world – set to be held across New Zealand and Australia in 2015 all eyes will be on New Zealand's international cricket team - the BLACKCAPS.
The New Zealand BLACKCAPS have played a total of 10 Cricket World Cups and, although they have reached the semi-finals on an impressive six occasions, they are yet to clinch cricket's ultimate prize.
Over the years, New Zealand has produced a raft of cricket players who have achieved international acclaim - but soon it will be time for the class of 2015 to show the rest of the world just what they are made of.
Mitchell McClenaghan
Role: Strike Bowler
Mitchell McClenaghan is a new breed of BLACKCAP whose lightning-speed bowling landed him a place in the New Zealand cricket record books when he knocked over an incredible four for 20 on his ODI debut during New Zealand's tour of South Africa in 2012/13.
McClenaghan, from the Hawke's Bay town of Hastings, started playing first-class cricket with the domestic cricket team the Central Staggs, but his career took a turn for the better when he moved to the Auckland Aces in the 2011/12 season - a debut for the BLACKCAPS quickly ensued.
With his powerful and often intimidating style of bowling, Mitchell McClenaghan is fast becoming a household name in the cricket world and is definitely one to watch out for at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
What will it mean to the BLACKCAPS to play a Cricket World Cup in New Zealand?
It will mean a great deal for the BLACKCAPS to play a Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. It gives us a chance to show the nation that we are a quality side - that we can take it one step further than the 1992 Cricket World Cup side did and hopefully bring the trophy back home to New Zealand.
Where is your favourite place to play cricket in New Zealand, and why?
Pukekura Park [near the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki] is my favourite place to play cricket in New Zealand. My dad's side of the family is from there... friends and family all come up to support me….. it really is a beautiful picturesque ground.
What is your favourite New Zealand holiday destination - and what makes it so special?
My favourite holiday destination in New Zealand would be Coromandel (on New Zealand's North Island). I love getting down there because it's always sunny and really chilled….. I love spending some quality family time and enjoying the New Zealand summer when I get a chance.
If you could recommend a top-tourist activity in New Zealand what would it be?
My recommendation would definitely be to go to Queenstown and do a bungy jump!
Cricket World Cup 2015: Overview
Backgrounder: ICC CWC 2015 venues
Cricket and summer make perfect NZ match
Cricket World Cup host city: Auckland
Cricket World Cup host city: Hamilton
Cricket World Cup host city: Napier
Cricket World Cup host city: Wellington
Cricket World Cup Host City: Nelson
Cricket World Cup host city: Christchurch
Cricket World Cup host city: Dunedin
CWC 2015: Auckland First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Hamilton First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Napier First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Wellington First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Nelson First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Christchurch First XI Highlights
CWC 2015: Dunedin First XI Highlights
NZ cricketer: Kyle Mills
NZ cricketer: Martin Guptill
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 website
Tourism Auckland website
Tourism Hamilton Waikato website
Tourism Hawke's Bay website
Tourism Wellington website
Tourism Nelson Tasman website
Tourism Christchurch & Canterbury website
Tourism Dunedin website