We've had the Women's World Cup, and the Under-19 World Cup. Now the World Cup capital of the southern hemisphere hosts another festival almost immediately after the end of the successful youth competition.

In contrast to the teenagers, who have been populating Lincoln University for the past few weeks, some slightly more rotund and greying figures will soon be invading Canterbury's cricket greens. The average age will be 55, and the oldest player 70-plus. The World Rotary festival of cricket runs from February 17-23, and will bring together teams from around the world in the third event of its nature.

"The idea was put to the test in Fordingbridge, England in 1997 when Rotarians from Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Britain made up teams playing for a five-day festival," said the chairman of the International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians, Geoffrey Pike.

Such was the success of the event that a second festival took place in Chennai in 1999. Former participants include ex-New Zealand captain Bevan Congdon as well as a man who personified the ethos of the tournament, a 70-year-old Indian fast bowler "who could thump it in," in the words of Christchurch organiser Brian Morgan. Mr Morgan sees the event as "a stimulus for our fellowship. It keeps men in the game who would normally give it up.

"You have no idea how much we are looking forward to hosting our international visitors to Christchurch," added Mr Morgan. "Our goal for the Christchurch festival is to build on all the good times shared at both Fordingbridge and Chennai."

A charity auction, for the Champion Centre takes place at Christchurch Casino on Wednesday, featuring cricket memorabilia brought by each of the participating nations including bats signed by the England test team.

The 12-team tournament centres on Ilam Fields on the opening and closing days. Games will also be played at Dudley Park in Rangiora, Leeston Domain, Hornby and The Willows near Loburn to give the players, from England, India, Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa, a taste of Canterbury.

© CricInfo