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New Zealand ready for thousands of Cricket World Cup visitors

Xinhua, February 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The New Zealand Police issued a

final appeal Wednesday for a friendly reception for the thousands of overseas visitors arriving the Cricket World Cup, which opens in Christchurch on Thursday.

Superintendent Sandra Manderson, national commander of the police Cricket World Cup Operation, said the tournament, being co- hosted by Australia, would be among the biggest sporting event in the world in 2015.

"New Zealand Police have been working very closely with a number of partner agencies including our colleagues in Australia to create a safe and secure environment throughout the tournament, " Manderson said in a statement.

"But we need the New Zealand public to play their part by providing a warm and friendly welcome to our international guests. "

Thousands of extra international visitors would be navigating New Zealand roads, which could lead to increased travel times particularly in parts of the South island, she warned.

Police would have no tolerance for any person who entered the field of play without authority, or those who threw objects on to the pitch.

Anyone convicted of invading the pitch at the Cricket World Cup could face a jail term of up to three months or a fine of up to 5, 000 NZ dollars (3,709 U.S. dollars).

Organizers were expecting a large crowd to attend Thursday's free opening ceremony, which would begin at 6.30 p.m. (local time) at Christchurch's North Hagley Park.

New Zealand will face Sri Lanka in the opening game of the tournament at Hagley Oval at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The 14-nation tournament will feature 49 matches over 44 days across 14 venues.

New Zealand will be open to foreign visitors holding only an Australian visa for a 10-week window over the period of tournament under a special trans-Tasman visa agreement between the host countries.

Visitors from third countries can travel freely across the Tasman with just one visa from Jan. 26 to April 5.

An estimated 1 billion people worldwide are expected to follow the match on television. Endi