Thrills and spills for cricketers in Queenstown

Thrillseeking might not have been foremost on the minds of the U19 teams playing in Queenstown, but that didn't stop them sampling a bit of what New Zealand's adventure capital has to offer.

When they've managed time away from tournament matches and training sessions, all four Group B teams - South Africa, Australia, Ireland and USA - have taken the opportunity to check out the area's many attractions including bungy jumping off towering bridges, jetboat rides on raging rivers, riding the luge or taking in the spectacular scenery from the top of the gondola.

Ireland all-rounder Jordan Coghlan and his team-mates were able to take time out to jump in a jetboat and dangle from a bungy cord.

"Bungy jumping was great," said Jordan. "It was a bit scary looking over the edge, but once I did it, it was a great experience. Once I landed I just felt great. I'd love to do it again."

Jet-boating on the Shotover River was unreal, he said. "The fact that the boat went so close to the edge, and it was doing 360 degree turns."

Wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter wasn't keen on bungy-jumping. "It was too scary," he said, jokingly. He said he was amazed at how the jetboats managed to squeeze through seemingly impossible gaps in the surrounding river gorge.

Queenstown was a lovely and laidback place, the London-based Poynter added. "Every time you go out you see a different bit of scenery... it's nice to get away from big cities."

South African captain Josh Richards said a bit of adventure tourism was the perfect way to relax on a rare day off after his team's opener against Ireland. "We had a day out, went up the mountain and did lugeing and went on the speedboats where you do the 360s. It was good team building and a nice, relaxing day," he said.

Australian opening batsman Nic Maddinson said the views in Queenstown were awesome - although some close-up views of rocks on the Shotover Jet were a bit of a concern.

"It was awesome," he said. "It was a bit scary. The first couple of minutes we went pretty close to the rocks, but I'm glad we did it."