Match raises more than NZ$500,00

The first charity match between New Zealand and the FICA World XI has raised more than NZ$500,000 towards relief work for the victims of the tsunami disaster. A total of NZ$506,233 (US$471,111) was collected, of which $119,360 was contributed by the New Zealand government, which sponsored every run scored in the match - each run was worth $20, while a four contributed $1000 and a six $5000.

Stephen Fleming's 106, which included nine sixes and ten fours, was thus worth more than $64,000, while among the bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan was the most generous, being hit for seven sixes and conceding 57 runs in 3.1 overs.

Apart from the collections made from runs scored, there were also auction bids, text donations and other contributions made by spectators at the ground. Martin Snedden, the chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, was pleased with the collections, even though it wasn't a high-scoring match. "The generosity of New Zealanders has once again been evident," he said, "and we are thrilled to be able to provide an opportunity for people to contribute to the relief fund."