Cricket v Rugby: What you need to know ahead of tonight's Black Clash

Cricket and rugby legends will face off tonight in the annual Black Clash, a T20 cricket match that brings together some of New Zealand's biggest sporting names.

The Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash be held at Bay Oval Stadium in Tauranga at 6.30pm tonight.

The sports crossover will see some of New Zealand's most well-known former and current rugby players take on cricket stars, as well as a mix of other notable personalities, in a fast-paced format.

Played under T20 cricket rules, the match will see Team Cricket and Team Rugby compete in an entertainment spectacle that has helped raised millions of dollars for charity since its inception in 2019.

Now in its eighth year, the Black Clash has become a popular summer fixture, with previous matches bringing together rugby greats such as Richie McCaw, Beauden and Jordie Barrett, and former All Blacks skipper Kieran Reid.

Team Cricket have taken the win for five out of the seven previous matches, with last year's squad including the likes of former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming, World Cup hero Grant Elliott, and Nathan Astle.

Fans attending the event are encouraged to dress up in costumes and get involved in the atmosphere and can expect plenty of celebrity appearances and family-friendly activities.

The Black Clash event generally rotates between Christchurch's Hagley Oval, where it was held in 2025, and Mt Maunganui.

Team Rugby

Kieran Read (c), Jordie Barrett, Kaylum Boshier, Andy Ellis, David Hill, Michael Hussey, Ngani Laumape, Colin Slade, Tim Southee, Jason Spice, Ofisa Tonu'u, and Joey Wheeler

Team Cricket

Nathan McCullum (c), Neil Broome, Grant Elliott, Hamish Marshall, Kyle Mills, Hadleigh Parkes, Adam Parore, Jesse Ryder, Lou Vincent, Neil Wagner, and William Waiirua

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