It was simply backyard cricket with yellow stumps on the un-mowed lawn of Christchurch’s Latimer Square on a drizzling and chilly day last fortnight.
But for the Garden City and its people, April 14, 2014 was one of the brightest days as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in town.
The Royals displayed their affection to the disaster-driven City and its resilient people.
Prince William had visited Christchurch in March 2011, just a month after the earthquake struck, killing 185 people, 115 of who were in the CTV building, about 10 meters away from Latimer Square, where the Prince hit a six to a ball from Cashmere Primary School cricketer Tim Cross.
However, the red and black Canterbury colours did not transform the Duchess into a cricketer. She was caught to the bowling of her Prince charm.
Beauty & Elegance
Those gathered at the Square were not worried that the former Hockey goalkeeper at Princeton College was no good at Cricket. They were gazing at her beauty and elegance in a Luisa Spagnoli outfit.
The Princess, stylishly outfitted in the history of Cricket, showed no plan to dive or ‘catch’ Prince Williams. She in fact conceded a boundary later in the game.
New Zealand Cricket great Sir Richard Hadlee, who was behind the wickets said, “It is not a wide pitch, there was no warm-up, he bowled with a jacket on but I am still impressed.”
Prince charms
Speaking to the 130,000 crowd in Hagley Park during his whistles-top tour on March 22, 2011, the Prince had mourned and offered sympathy to Cantabrians. More than 200,000 people were either injured or lost their homes and businesses across the City following the earthquakes and aftershocks.
His presence over an entire day and meetings with the victims across Christchurch had sealed his place in Cantabrian hearts.
This time he paid tribute to the courage and confidence of the people, which was a source of solace and comfort.
