Cricket: Controversial Tui Catch-A-Million competition canned

  • 03/10/2018
Spectators jostle to snare a six.
Spectators jostle to snare a six. Photo credit: Getty

Tui's hugely popular catch-a-million competition won't feature during the upcoming summer of international cricket.

On Wednesday, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that the competition, which awarded a $50,000 prize to crowd members able to catch a six with one hand, had been scrapped amid safety concerns.

"I believe that's not happening this year," NZC manager public affairs Richard Boock told Stuff.

A handful of spectators were injured last summer, as people clambered and dived for a chance at snaring the cash prize.

That prompted the creation of catch zones, where crowd members who'd paid for the shirts making them eligible to win could do so without putting others at risk.

Then-Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson admitted his own concerns over the promotion, after a young girl was hurt at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval during NZ's T20 against the West Indies.

"I don't think anyone likes some of the scenes we saw last night," Hesson said in January.

"Obviously, safety of players and spectators alike is paramount. It's certainly something they're going to be looking at."

Four spectators claimed the $50,000 prize through the 2017/18 home season, with catches taken at Dunedin's University Oval, Eden Park in Auckland, Hamilton's Seddon Park and Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

Newshub.