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Bay of Plenty's future cricketing stars are momentarily trading their school uniforms for national attire as they bat and bowl their way to world cup glory at Blake Park.

A total of 16 teams of Western Bay Year 5 and 6 primary schools are meeting at Bay Oval for the annual Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Mini World Cup today.

School boy cricket teams warming up to play today. Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Initiated by Bay of Plenty Cricket nine years ago, the competition aims to introduce children to the game by using the real flavour of international cricket where school teams represent a different nation.

Along with the cricketing powerhouses India, South Africa and Australia, minnows Canada, Scotland and Kenya were given a chance to shine on the cricket pitch.

Bay of Plenty Cricket development manager Tai Bridgman-Raison says the day is a popular event on the annual cricket calendar with an array of talent on show.

'It was great on two levels as we had kids who hadn't played a lot of cricket and were giving it a go and we also had the kids who play Saturday cricket and enjoy testing their skills against other schools.

'The mini cricket world cup is a showcase for primary cricket in the Western Bay of Plenty and a number of top players in the region have come through the competition.”

With the morning's pool play complete, St Thomas More (India) and Greenpark Primary (South Africa) squared off in a gripping final – Greenpark batting first reached an impressive 56 runs from their 16 overs.

In reply, St Thomas More edged passed the total posting 62 runs claiming world cup success and school bragging rights.

Tai says the purpose of the mini world cup, is to follow on from the NZ Cricket 'Have a Go” and 'Kids in Cricket” programs.

To add to the fun and games on the day several new innovations are put in place including each team receiving a quiz about the country they are representing before the event and prizes awarded for sportsmanship and the best dressed team.

Team competing in the Western Bay of Plenty Mini World Cup: Papamoa School (New Zealand), St Marys (Australia), Greenpark (South Africa), Tahatai Coast (England), Selwyn Ridge (Pakistan), St Thomas More (India), Pillans Point (West Indies), Fairhaven (Zimbabwe), Mount Maunganui Primary (Sri Lanka), Bethlehem School (Kenya), Te Ranga School (Ireland), Bethlehem College (Scotland), Gate Pa (Bangladesh), Matua (Canada), Papamoa School 2 (Bermuda), Te Ranga 2 (Netherlands).