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Twenty years of T20 cricket to be celebrated in the Mount
Jaxin Daniels • August 19th, 2025 12:36 pm
The Blackcaps pose in beige before the first-ever T20 international at Eden Park | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
It’s been 20 years since the iconic Beige Brigade inspired look was on full display in the first International T20 match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park, and the Blackcaps are going back to where it all began.
Paying homage to that first game, which revolutionised the world game of Cricket, the three-game series at Bay Oval in October will feature limited edition ‘20 years of T20’ merchandise and promotions as the two sides play for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley has stated that the trans-Tasman series is sure to be popular.
“We’re delighted to have such an exciting series to kick off the international summer of cricket,” he said in a NZC statement.
“Playing our oldest rivals for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is big enough, but throw in the '20 years of T20’ celebrations and it’s going to be one heck of a party in the Mount.
“The original days of the Blackcaps in beige back in the 1980s were embraced on that first night of T20 international cricket at Eden Park in 2005.
“This upcoming series is a chance to have some fun reflecting on how the format of the game has become an enormous part of cricket's success in New Zealand and around the world.”
Photo: Michael Bradley/Photosport
Critchley is encouraging fans to travel back in time with their support too.
“Instead of a black-out, we’re joining the Kiwi cricket supporters group, the Beige Brigade, in calling for a beige-out of the ground to show support for the Blackcaps and this special occasion.”
Beige Brigade co-founder Paul Ford said it was an excellent opportunity for New Zealand cricket supporters to get dressed up for this retro extravaganza.
"We've always said it's about passion not fashion.
“The beige days out at the Mount in October will be a chance for people to put away their conservative cricket-watching attire, let their hair down and have some fun.
"Back in 2005, the bar was set pretty high after we issued a challenge to the Blackcaps to get their moustaches and perms out onto the field for the inaugural Eden Park clash.
“We'd love to see some more of those sorts of shenanigans from the players in October this year too."
In celebration of the 20 year milestone, Blackcaps fans can snap up $20 tickets to the series, with NZC announcing a 20-hour Cricket Nation flash-sale from 10am on Wednesday, August 20, until 6am Thursday August 21, or until the match allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Sport Nation will be providing live and free coverage of the Blackcaps vs Australia series with our award-winning commentary team on October 1, 3 and 4.
Why we love Bay Oval and Hagley Oval | Sport Nation Cricket
