They may be more used to brandishing a bat than swinging a club, but cricket legends were out in force for the celebrity Pro-Am event at the BMW New Zealand Open. Stars from the crease were drafted in to play the tournament in Queenstown since it coincides with the 2015 Cricket World Cup, with organisers admitting they chose 'to go with it rather than try to compete against it'. Former Australian spinner Shane Warne posted an Instagram picture from the event that resembled a Who's Who of cricketing greats from all over the world, including Ricky Ponting, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Nathan Astle, Mark Richardson and Graeme Swann. (L-R) Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Graeme Swann, Nathan Astle and Mark Richardson line up for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am . England legend Ian Botham (left) poses with course owner Sir Michael Hill (centre) and Richards . Richards shares a joke with scratch golfer Ponting (right) who has tipped Warne for glory . (L-R) Botham, Swann and Astle appeared in good spirits before teeing off in Queenstown . Former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson speaks to the press at the BMW New Zealand Open . Ponting, who played at Milbrook last year along with returning England legend Ian Botham, has employed his father as caddie to keep him from losing his cool out on the course. 'I'll just give the club to him as quick as I can so he puts it back in the bag and it doesn't end up disappearing into the lake or anything,' he told Stuff NZ. Despite being a scratch golfer, the former Australia captain has tipped Warne, who plays under an 11 handicap, as a contender to win. 'Warnie will be up there in the end ... I hope he's not,' he said. Warne plays a practice round with Lara at The Hills course, which features an underground clubhouse .
BMW New Zealand Open coincides with the 2015 Cricket World Cup .
Legends including Shane Warne, Ian Botham, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Nathan Astle, Mark Richardson and Graeme Swann are in Auckland .
Scratch golfer Ricky Ponting has tipped Warne as a contender .
They may be more used to brandishing a bat than swinging a club, but cricket legends were out in force for the celebrity Pro-Am event at the BMW New Zealand Open. Stars from the crease were drafted in to play the tournament in Queenstown since it coincides with the 2015 Cricket World Cup, with organisers admitting they chose 'to go with it rather than try to compete against it'. Former Australian spinner Shane Warne posted an Instagram picture from the event that resembled a Who's Who of cricketing greats from all over the world, including Ricky Ponting, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Nathan Astle, Mark Richardson and Graeme Swann. (L-R) Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Graeme Swann, Nathan Astle and Mark Richardson line up for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am . England legend Ian Botham (left) poses with course owner Sir Michael Hill (centre) and Richards . Richards shares a joke with scratch golfer Ponting (right) who has tipped Warne for glory . (L-R) Botham, Swann and Astle appeared in good spirits before teeing off in Queenstown . Former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson speaks to the press at the BMW New Zealand Open . Ponting, who played at Milbrook last year along with returning England legend Ian Botham, has employed his father as caddie to keep him from losing his cool out on the course. 'I'll just give the club to him as quick as I can so he puts it back in the bag and it doesn't end up disappearing into the lake or anything,' he told Stuff NZ. Despite being a scratch golfer, the former Australia captain has tipped Warne, who plays under an 11 handicap, as a contender to win. 'Warnie will be up there in the end ... I hope he's not,' he said. Warne plays a practice round with Lara at The Hills course, which features an underground clubhouse .
since it coincides with the 2015 Cricket World Brian Lara, Nathan Astle, Mark Richardson and Graeme Swann. (L-R) Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Sir Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Graeme Swann, New Zealand Open Pro-Am . England legend Ian former Australia captain has tipped Warne, who