New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has chosen the NZ20 as its preferred option for the future of the T20 format domestically in place of the Super Smash but wants a greater focus on the women’s game.
The decision is not a final commitment, according to an NZC release, but the board has made an “in-principle” decision to support the new league. The outcome closes the door on any potential move into the W/BBL which had been another option on the table for NZC. It also remains a point of friction. Dion Nash resigned from his post as board director. Though there were no specifics, a second press release issued hours after the NZ20 announcement quoted Nash saying “he could no longer align with the future direction of the organisation and his position within that.”
“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,” NZC board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon 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.”
However, Puketapu-Lyndon added that several changes to the initial NZ20 proposal would be needed, significantly the position of the women’s game in the new tournament.
“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,” she said.
“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”.
Brooke Halliday sees it as a way for more players to break through and become big names. “When you talk to Melie [Kerr], Sophie and even Suzie [Bates], they talk about how much they get out of franchise cricket around the world and how much it grows their game. And I think personally in New Zealand we don’t really get that exposure every season, those franchise leagues. So having something we actually have in New Zealand, and we can showcase to the rest of the world, could open doors for us also in different competitions around the world.”
The NZ20 proposal has been put together by a committee led by Don MacKinnon, a professional lawyer who heads the country’s Sports Integrity Commission, and has served as a director on the NZC board. The proposal has the backing of former New Zealand players including Stephen Fleming.
It is modeled on how the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is run whereby the tournament would receive a license from NZC but be managed independently.
James Neesham appreciated the move to keep things “in house” and highlighted the success of other competitions and the effect they’ve had on cricket in those countries. “We’ve seen the development of the Hundred especially in England and how that’s brought in the fanbase of their public and SA20 as well as a competition that’s gone from strength to strength as far as crownd numbers and engagement numbers. At the end of the day, you’re playing the game for the fans and if you’re playing in front of packed houses week in, week out, first of all it’s more exciting for a playing group and also it does wonders for the development of the young players coming through as well.”
“This is an exciting time for cricket in New Zealand,” Puketapu-Lyndon said “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.”
When the proposal for NZ20 initially emerged the timeline was to look to launch it in January 2027 but it remains to be seen if a nine-month turnaround is realistic.
“This is an important step, but the real work starts now,” MacKinnon said. “We look forward to working closely with New Zealand Cricket and stakeholders across the game to shape what NZ20 can become.”
