For fans around New Zealand, much of the focus of the first 19 days of the ICC Cricket World Cup has been on Pool A - the highlights of which have been sell-out crowds for New Zealand’s victories over Sri Lanka, England and Australia.

While the BLACKCAPS still have two pool matches left to play, next week will see the arrival into New Zealand of current ICC Cricket World Cup holders India, who currently top Pool B and, like New Zealand, remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Tournament organisers today announced that India’s first match in New Zealand – against Ireland in Hamilton on 10 March – is the latest to sell out. Tickets to their other pool match on this side of the Tasman, versus Zimbabwe in Auckland on 14 March, are selling fast and another big crowd at Eden Park is anticipated. 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Head of New Zealand Therese Walsh said: “Going into a match day with no tickets available is not something you usually associate with cricket in this country, but that’s exactly what we have had for all the BLACKCAPS games to date, and what turned out to be a fantastic upset in Nelson when Ireland played the West Indies.”

“The sale of the final tickets for the first of two India games signals the start of a new phase of the tournament here in New Zealand. The BLACKCAPS have captured the imagination of New Zealanders but now we’re set to welcome the top team in Pool B and one whose fans, as we learned last summer, create a unique and very special atmosphere.”

Fans who missed out on tickets to India v Ireland can wait-list at www.cricketworldcup in case any further tickets become available. Tickets to India v Zimbabwe are also available from this official tournament website.