Australian women cricketers stranded by Christchurch quake

The Australian women's cricket team were left stranded at their training camp outside Christchurch after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the city on Tuesday.

The "Southern Stars" were preparing for Thursday's first one-day international against New Zealand at Lincoln University, some 22km outside Christchurch, when the strong earthquake struck at lunchtime.

Head coach Richard McInnes said all the players and staff were safe but they were unable to return to their lodgings in the city as the roads had been closed, the Cricket Australia website (www.cricket.com.au) reported.

"We have experienced an aftershock but we are all safe and well," he said. "We are being looked after at Lincoln University and will spend the night there."

Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city, is one of the venues for this year's Rugby World Cup and will host England and Australia's opening matches in early September as well as two of the quarter-finals.

"The city of Christchurch has been hit today by a significant 6.3 magnitude earthquake," read a statement on the tournament's official Facebook page.

"It is too early to tell the extent of the damage. Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch at this time."

The earthquake, the second major tremor to hit Christchurch in five months, toppled buildings and killed 65 with the death toll expected to rise over the next few days.