Earthquake shock for Black Caps

John Wright & his New Zealand boys are a worried lot. They reacted with shock and horror upon learning that an earthquake rocked Christchurch on Tuesday morning. They were, however, relieved to know that everyone back home is safe.

“My family is safe. Thanks for the inquiry,” John Wright, a former India coach who is currently in charge of New Zealand’s national team, told DNA. “We were worried initially but everyone is safe,” Wright said.

“John is a very popular man here in India. There have been many inquiries about him and his family. Thankfully, all our families are fine,” said New Zealand media manager Ellery Tappin.

The Kiwis are currently stationed in Chennai. They are scheduled to fly to Nagpur on Wednesday morning, via Mumbai, for their match against Australia on Friday. “It’s a big game and we’re relieved that everyone back home is fine. The entire New Zealand tour party, including the journalist and fans, has checked about the safety of their families back home,” said Tappin. On Tuesday, they woke to the grim news that at least 65 people had died in the Christchurch earthquake.

“Thoughts go out to the people of Chch today. Terrible thing to have happened again,” New Zealand opener Martin Guptill wrote on Twitter. The quake hit New Zealand’s second largest city early on Tuesday and the death toll was likely to rise in a region still recovering from another quake — measuring 7 on the Richter scale — in September last year.

“The team woken early in India to news of another Christchurch earthquake. Thoughts are with everyone and hoping all are OK,” New Zealand Cricket said on Twitter.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said that an appropriate gesture of respect will be made when New Zealand face Australia in Nagpur on Friday.

“At times like this, sport can only offer its support and its deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones during such a tragedy,” said Lorgat.

“It’s a helpless feeling but I will be discussing with the organisers of the World Cup how we can most appropriately remember those who lost their lives or have been injured and affected when the Black Caps play their next match against Australia in Nagpur on Friday. We have already contacted New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan to express our concern for him, his staff and the people of Christchurch. On behalf of everyone at the ICC and the World Cup we send our heartfelt condolences,” he added.

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris also expressed his concerns. “Watching CNN. Amazing scenes. Some worried boys here in India. Be safe,” he wrote on Twitter. England off-spinner Graeme Swann shared the concern of his rivals. “Shocking news for Christchurch. Fingers crossed for everyone’s safety.”

Amongst the New Zealand squad, pacer Hamish Bennett plays for the Canterbury team in the devastated area while Wright was born in the region. The news would have also rattled Dutch captain Peter Borren who was born in Christchurch.