New Zealand cricketer Blair Tickner revealed that cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc on Hawke's Bay, located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, and also destroyed his father’s home located there.
Cyclone Gabrielle is described as the worst storm in the country's living memory. Of the estimated 62,000 households without power nationally following the cyclone, almost 40,000 were in Hawke's Bay. 11 people have been confirmed deceased by the police while over 1700 people are still uncontactable.
Tickner, who made his Test debut against England at Bay Oval recently, said that it was hard to concentrate or enjoy his debut, especially after the cyclone hit his father John’s house.
“My father’s house has been fully destroyed. It was good to get back, help them out. It’s just hard times for the whole region so helping out neighbors and whoever we could. It’s been tough, it’s really tough at the moment, but Hawke’s Bay is staying strong. Obviously, I grew up there as a kid … it’s just crazy to be honest. It’s a bit hard to talk about, really,” Tickner told media in Wellington ahead of the second Test against England.
Tickner’s father saw his son debut for New Zealand and watched him take his first Test wicket before heading out to help families stricken by the cyclone.
“You dream about your test debut forever and expect your family to be there … my dad was good enough to come through, taking generators down to Hawke’s Bay to help people. He just stopped in for about half an hour, luckily saw my first test wicket, and then went on to a seven-hour drive home to help everyone,” said Tickner.
New Zealand cricket has teamed up with ANZ for a special fundraiser when the Kiwis face Sri Lanka in an ODI on March 25th at Eden Park. ANZ also promised a $1 million donation to the New Zealand Red Cross Disaster Fund.
"We were wanting to help out how we could. And it's awesome to see NZC and ANZ coming forward for the first game against Sri Lanka. It's going to be awesome. Hopefully, we can have a sell-out and all that money goes to them. The cyclone, it's around the whole of New Zealand - it's been hard for everyone throughout the country, I'm not saying just Hawke's Bay. I just want everyone to go out and support and you can help donate food, clothing all around New Zealand. So everyone can help,” Tickner said.
(Indian Express/ESPNCricinfo inputs)
