Several members of the New Zealand team got a lift they could have done without when on their way to the National Bank series launch in Napier today.

The lunchtime function, attended by both the New Zealand and Sri Lankan teams in central Napier, was held up for 20 minutes while eight members of the New Zealand side were extricated from a lift.

Team manager Jeff Crowe wasn't able to confirm the eight players who were stuck between floors, but they were thought to be captain Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Roger Twose, Chris Harris, Mathew Sinclair, Craig McMillan, physio Mark Harrison and video analysis expert Zack Hitchcock.

Crowe said it was unsettling for the players, especially after the light went out in the lift and then when some electrical fusing occurred causing a spark or two above the lift.

Captain Fleming put the time to good use to prepare his speech for the opening ceremony.

He told the assembled throng that it was "just the sort of lift the team was looking for."

Local Otis Elevators staff were called to get the players out.

© CricInfo