A local Pakuranga cricket fan was excited to meet his heroes on Sunday (26 January) when he joined Captains Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli for the pre-match coin toss on the pitch prior to the Blackcaps vs India match.
Eight-year-old Sachetan Ippa, who attends Pakuranga Heights School and plays for Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club, won the ANZ competition to be the Coin Toss Kid which involved joining the two team captains on the pitch before the match. Sachetan said, “I started playing cricket when I was about one so I have always loved cricket.
“I felt so lucky to be chosen as a Coin Toss Kid and be able to meet my two favourite cricket players. I practice all the time because I want to be a Blackcap when I’m older.”
ANZ Pakuranga branch manager Natalie Wang said Sachetan was one of 28 young cricketers selected to take part in the pre-match ritual this cricket season.
“Young Kiwi cricket players are often inspired by New Zealand’s professional players, so we wanted to give them an opportunity to meet their sporting heroes. We hope Sachetan and all the Coin Toss Kids winners have fun, enjoy the experience and are inspired to continue to play the game,” she said.
The Coin Toss competition is one part of ANZ’s long-standing support of Kiwi cricketers.
Since 2009 ANZ has given almost $1 million to local cricket players, teams, fans, clubs and schools to help them reach their cricket goals, the bank said.
Cricket players, clubs, teams and fans across New Zealand can apply for grants or to take part in games as a Coin Toss Kid at ANZcricketworld.co.nz.
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