Cricket's future will be on show in Pakuranga all next week, as Auckland Cricket's 50th annual VECTOR Under-14 Inter District Tournament erupts on the grassy ovals of Lloyd Elsmore Park.

More than 200 talented young cricketers will experience their first taste of representative cricket, stepping up from their Saturday morning club teams and seeking to gain glory for their district in the event's 40 scheduled matches.

The tournament boasts a rich history since the inaugural event in 1953. Current Test openers Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent, together with Auckland Aces captain Brooke Walker and his team mates Kyle Mills, Gareth Shaw, Tim McIntosh, Reece Young, Rob Lynch and Bradley Nielsen have all padded up at the tourney.

No less than six New Zealand captains have cut their cricketing teeth at the event - Mark Burgess, John Parker, Geoff Howarth, Jeff and Martin Crowe and Emily Drumm.

A galaxy of illustrious New Zealand cricketing stars has cemented the Under-14 tournament's proud record. Those to have shone since attending include Mark Greatbatch, Adam Parore, Danny Morrison, Martin Snedden, Graham Vivian and Gary Troup.

The landmark reached at this year's VECTOR tourney will be marked by a photographic and memorial exhibition at the Howick Pakuranga clubrooms, together with an honours board and historical scorebooks.

Participants will also receive a commemorative shirt and participate in a march-past during the tea interval at the New Zealand v India One-Day International match on Boxing Day.

The tournament proper will begin on Friday, December 27 and conclude on New Year's Eve.

© Auckland Cricket Association