New Zealand Cricket will pursue the proposed NZ20 franchise league as the preferred option for its domestic T20 competition.
Rather than stick with the status quo of the Super Smash competition or attempt to enter a team into Australia’s Big Bash League, NZ Cricket’s board has made an in-principle decision to support the establishment of the new league.
This will be subject to a satisfactory resolution of key commercial, structural, and governance matters.
The NZ20 was the preferred option for the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) and the six Major Associations - Auckland, Northern Districts, Wellington, Central Districts, Canterbury and Otago.
“From a franchise point of view, it’s exciting,” said senior Black Cap Lockie Ferguson of NZ20 last week.
The new league will attempt to attract overseas investment in franchises.
NZ Cricket said in a statement this morning that while not a final commitment, the decision allowed it to focus resources on advancing discussions toward a potential licence, and a binding commercial arrangement with the NZ20 league.
NZC Board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said recognising NZ20 as the preferred option was a significant step.
“There was extensive discussion on the merits of these proposals, but the Board concluded that now’s the right time to revitalise our 21-year-old Super Smash competition,” she said.
“This followed broad consultation, particularly within our cricket network, and careful consideration of a wide range of information and advice, including the Deloitte Report.
“The next steps include working with NZ20 to agree terms and seeking support from our members.”
Puketapu-Lyndon emphasised that identifying a preferred option was part of the process, not the end of it.
Several changes to the original NZ20 proposal needed to be negotiated before a final decision was made.
“In particular, we want to work with NZ20 to ensure it incorporates and supports the women’s domestic T20 competition, and that it maintains a level of prominence and visibility consistent with NZC’s strategic commitment to the women’s game.
“Ensuring regional representation of NZ20 teams so fans and aspiring young cricketers can see their heroes in action is also very important to the Board, as is the question of ownership and control, including equity in the competition”.
She noted that the NZC brand carried significant global value, bolstered by the impressive performances of its national teams in ICC events.
The White Ferns are the current T20 World Cup Champions, and the Black Caps were recent finalists in the men’s version.
“This is an exciting time for cricket in New Zealand,” said Puketapu-Lyndon.
“We owe it to everyone to negotiate an outcome that best serves the interests of the game here - and we’re confident we’re heading in the right direction.”
Late last year former chief executive Scott Weenick resigned from the organisation, amid tension over the future of T20 in New Zealand.
"After careful consideration, it has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA, on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand," he said at the time.
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