Seven New Zealand centres have been chosen to host matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 - spreading the major international event throughout both the North and South Islands.

Auckland, Hamilton, Napier and Wellington in the North Island and Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin in the South Island will join seven Australian cities to jointly host the tournament in the summer of 2015.

The announcement is welcome news to Kiwi sporting fans who fondly remember the “stadium of four million” concept that brought the country to life during the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the world’s largest sports tournaments and the flagship event of the international cricket calendar.

All eyes will be on the chosen cities from February 14th to March 29th 2015 as they not only host thousands of players, officials and fans, but are also profiled globally to an expected television audience of more than a billion people.

As well as a warm welcome, visitors can expect a diverse range of scenery and a varied cultural experience as they travel the throughout New Zealand’s host regions.