1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:13,347 --> 00:00:16,947 Speaker 2: Still no decision around the future of domestic T twenty 4 00:00:16,987 --> 00:00:19,347 Speaker 2: cricket here in New Zealand. The board met on Monday 5 00:00:19,427 --> 00:00:23,107 Speaker 2: to discuss this. They are supposedly reportedly choosing between a 6 00:00:23,147 --> 00:00:27,267 Speaker 2: privately owned, local franchised T twenty tournament or creating a 7 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:31,187 Speaker 2: team to enter Australia's Big Bash. Consultancy firm Deloitte has 8 00:00:31,267 --> 00:00:34,147 Speaker 2: completed a review for the Board to consider. It weighs 9 00:00:34,227 --> 00:00:36,267 Speaker 2: up the pros and cons of those options, as well 10 00:00:36,307 --> 00:00:40,267 Speaker 2: as a couple of other possible routes they could go down, 11 00:00:40,347 --> 00:00:43,627 Speaker 2: refreshing the current Super Smash or just sticking with the 12 00:00:43,707 --> 00:00:47,107 Speaker 2: status quo now the end ZED twenty the franchise league 13 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 2: is the preferred option for New Zealand's six major associations 14 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:54,707 Speaker 2: and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association. They've made it 15 00:00:54,787 --> 00:00:59,267 Speaker 2: quite clear collectively and individually the players that they want 16 00:00:59,307 --> 00:01:01,267 Speaker 2: the n ZED twenty option. But I did want to 17 00:01:01,347 --> 00:01:03,507 Speaker 2: drill down today into the idea of a New Zealand 18 00:01:03,587 --> 00:01:07,227 Speaker 2: team in the Australian Big Bash and what that might mean, 19 00:01:07,827 --> 00:01:10,987 Speaker 2: both in terms of participation in that tournament and for 20 00:01:11,067 --> 00:01:15,187 Speaker 2: those back here who aren't involved in it. Ben Horn 21 00:01:15,387 --> 00:01:18,827 Speaker 2: is chief cricket writer at The Daily Telegraph in Australia. 22 00:01:18,987 --> 00:01:21,107 Speaker 2: He joins us now, Ben, thanks for taking the time 23 00:01:21,347 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 2: to chat to us across New Zealand. First of all, 24 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:26,907 Speaker 2: do you think there's an appetite in Australia to have 25 00:01:26,947 --> 00:01:30,867 Speaker 2: a New Zealand team in your Big Bash? 26 00:01:30,907 --> 00:01:34,907 Speaker 3: Definitely, definitely. I think Australia would really welcome that. I 27 00:01:34,947 --> 00:01:38,667 Speaker 3: think they are looking to expand the Big Bash. But 28 00:01:38,827 --> 00:01:40,987 Speaker 3: first things first in Australia, they have to make the 29 00:01:41,067 --> 00:01:44,787 Speaker 3: decision themselves on whether they want to privatize the Big Bash. 30 00:01:44,867 --> 00:01:47,987 Speaker 3: That still is yet to be fully determined. There was 31 00:01:48,027 --> 00:01:50,867 Speaker 3: a couple of meetings late last week which pointed in 32 00:01:50,907 --> 00:01:53,907 Speaker 3: that direction, but there's still at least one state, New 33 00:01:53,947 --> 00:01:56,907 Speaker 3: South Wales, that are yet to be convinced about the 34 00:01:56,947 --> 00:02:00,827 Speaker 3: financials of whether it's a good idea. So Australia really 35 00:02:00,827 --> 00:02:03,187 Speaker 3: need to get their own house in order first before 36 00:02:03,587 --> 00:02:06,587 Speaker 3: coming to New Zealand. But I think in an ideal world, 37 00:02:06,627 --> 00:02:09,707 Speaker 3: if they get the privatization model off the ground, they 38 00:02:09,707 --> 00:02:12,947 Speaker 3: would like to include a New Zealand team or two. 39 00:02:13,587 --> 00:02:17,267 Speaker 2: Just on those meetings between Cricket Australia and the state 40 00:02:17,267 --> 00:02:19,867 Speaker 2: associations that have made taking place over the past week 41 00:02:19,947 --> 00:02:22,827 Speaker 2: or so, you said the New South Wales are the 42 00:02:22,867 --> 00:02:26,467 Speaker 2: ones who seem to be, you know, in biggest opposition 43 00:02:26,547 --> 00:02:28,347 Speaker 2: to it. What's your gut feel, Ben, do you think 44 00:02:28,467 --> 00:02:31,747 Speaker 2: privatization of big best teams will occur? 45 00:02:33,307 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: I do? I do. I think, you know, Cricket Australia's 46 00:02:35,787 --> 00:02:37,947 Speaker 3: sort of been pushing so hard in that direction that 47 00:02:38,027 --> 00:02:41,107 Speaker 3: I just can't imagine them coming away from the table 48 00:02:41,187 --> 00:02:44,267 Speaker 3: without the result they want, or at least some of 49 00:02:44,307 --> 00:02:46,827 Speaker 3: what they want. I mean, the indication the other day 50 00:02:46,947 --> 00:02:50,347 Speaker 3: was perhaps they'd even be willing to go into privatization 51 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:53,107 Speaker 3: without the full agreement of all the states, and perhaps 52 00:02:53,587 --> 00:02:55,987 Speaker 3: it might, you know, at worst case scenario for them, 53 00:02:55,987 --> 00:02:59,467 Speaker 3: it might be a partial privatization model where some of 54 00:02:59,507 --> 00:03:02,747 Speaker 3: the teams are privatized. So look, I think it will 55 00:03:02,787 --> 00:03:07,587 Speaker 3: happen in some in one shape or another. And you know, 56 00:03:07,747 --> 00:03:11,187 Speaker 3: I think the main motivation for that is Australia as 57 00:03:11,227 --> 00:03:16,227 Speaker 3: fearing being left behind by other franchise leagues around the world, 58 00:03:16,787 --> 00:03:19,187 Speaker 3: and you know, they don't want to miss the boat 59 00:03:19,867 --> 00:03:22,427 Speaker 3: in terms of being able to play these players, I 60 00:03:22,467 --> 00:03:26,947 Speaker 3: suppose the market rate for T twenty cricket and you know, yeah, 61 00:03:27,227 --> 00:03:29,307 Speaker 3: it's an interesting one though, because the Big Bash has 62 00:03:29,307 --> 00:03:31,707 Speaker 3: been in a very healthy state in the last couple 63 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:34,627 Speaker 3: of years, and you know, there's a lot of concern 64 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:37,747 Speaker 3: about you know, selling privately and then you know, once 65 00:03:37,787 --> 00:03:40,467 Speaker 3: you do that, it's very hard to put the genie 66 00:03:40,467 --> 00:03:42,187 Speaker 3: back in the bottle. So they you know, there's a 67 00:03:42,187 --> 00:03:44,227 Speaker 3: lot of care being taken to make sure it's right. 68 00:03:44,307 --> 00:03:45,667 Speaker 3: My gut feel is it will happen. 69 00:03:46,907 --> 00:03:49,347 Speaker 2: So on the side of the Tasman. As you'll know, Ben, 70 00:03:49,387 --> 00:03:51,787 Speaker 2: there's the discussion going on about the future of our 71 00:03:51,827 --> 00:03:54,667 Speaker 2: domestic T twenty competition and as I said at the top, 72 00:03:54,707 --> 00:03:57,787 Speaker 2: the players and the major associations here are all firmly 73 00:03:57,827 --> 00:04:02,067 Speaker 2: in favor of a franchise league. Would Cricket Australia be 74 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:04,547 Speaker 2: worried at all about a rival product. I know we're 75 00:04:04,547 --> 00:04:07,627 Speaker 2: a smaller fish, but a launching on the side of 76 00:04:07,627 --> 00:04:08,507 Speaker 2: the testament. 77 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:11,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, it certainly doesn't help. I mean, Australia already 78 00:04:11,947 --> 00:04:16,547 Speaker 3: finding competition from South Africa and the UAE, so you know, 79 00:04:16,587 --> 00:04:19,627 Speaker 3: there's just so many of these leagues coming up around 80 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:21,347 Speaker 3: the world. I definitely think it would be more in 81 00:04:21,387 --> 00:04:24,227 Speaker 3: their interest to combine forces with New Zealand and the 82 00:04:24,227 --> 00:04:27,187 Speaker 3: other way around. Look, i mean, you'll obviously be a 83 00:04:27,187 --> 00:04:30,907 Speaker 3: lot more across the New Zealand considerations, you know, much 84 00:04:30,907 --> 00:04:33,507 Speaker 3: more than me. But I know, going back a year 85 00:04:33,627 --> 00:04:38,107 Speaker 3: or so, New Zealand's position, or at least behind the scenes, 86 00:04:38,187 --> 00:04:41,107 Speaker 3: was that they would only entertain this proposal if it 87 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:43,867 Speaker 3: was at least two teams from New Zealand, not one, 88 00:04:44,467 --> 00:04:48,187 Speaker 3: you know, one wouldn't Yeah, would be detrimental, I suppose 89 00:04:48,307 --> 00:04:51,867 Speaker 3: to the to the you know, to the domestic competition 90 00:04:51,947 --> 00:04:54,467 Speaker 3: and to the local players trying to find their opportunities. 91 00:04:54,467 --> 00:04:56,907 Speaker 3: But perhaps if they had two teams enter the Big 92 00:04:56,987 --> 00:05:00,147 Speaker 3: Bash North and South Island, perhaps that, you know, it 93 00:05:00,187 --> 00:05:03,907 Speaker 3: could be beneficial. So yeah, I'm sure that's been part 94 00:05:03,947 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 3: of the discussions. Whether or not Australia feel they can 95 00:05:06,107 --> 00:05:09,467 Speaker 3: jump to two extra teams straight away, I'm not sure, 96 00:05:09,507 --> 00:05:12,627 Speaker 3: but yeah, unless they're getting two teams in the Big Bash, 97 00:05:12,667 --> 00:05:15,307 Speaker 3: I can see why there'd be some reservations from New 98 00:05:15,347 --> 00:05:16,907 Speaker 3: Zealand about you know, what's in it for them? 99 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:19,827 Speaker 2: Absolutely right, Just on expansion of the Big Bash, is 100 00:05:19,867 --> 00:05:21,827 Speaker 2: that part of the strategy in the next little while. 101 00:05:21,827 --> 00:05:23,507 Speaker 2: Are they looking to expand. 102 00:05:24,827 --> 00:05:27,067 Speaker 3: Yes, that's been part of it. I mean, look, first 103 00:05:27,067 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: things first is to try and get the get the 104 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:32,947 Speaker 3: privatization off the ground. That's the first consideration, and then 105 00:05:32,947 --> 00:05:35,347 Speaker 3: they would move to the next step. So look, this 106 00:05:35,467 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 3: is you know, they're looking sort of two seasons ahead, 107 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:40,507 Speaker 3: So not this season, but the next season would be 108 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:43,907 Speaker 3: ideally when they'd be bringing in the privatized model. So look, 109 00:05:43,947 --> 00:05:48,027 Speaker 3: it may not be that first season that you see expansion. 110 00:05:48,187 --> 00:05:51,027 Speaker 3: Perhaps it's a year or so after that. But yeah, look, 111 00:05:51,067 --> 00:05:53,547 Speaker 3: I think they're trying to seize the opportunity. If they're 112 00:05:53,587 --> 00:05:56,147 Speaker 3: going to sell teams, this is the time to also 113 00:05:56,227 --> 00:05:59,427 Speaker 3: expand the competition and perhaps bring a new team or 114 00:05:59,427 --> 00:06:02,307 Speaker 3: two into the equation. There's been you know, a couple 115 00:06:02,307 --> 00:06:09,307 Speaker 3: of you know, different locations mentioned. Canberra is one, Singapore 116 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 3: is one. But look, I think overall, when you add 117 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:15,427 Speaker 3: up all the criteria, I think New Zealand is the 118 00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:17,827 Speaker 3: preferred option as far as Cricket Austraia is concerned. 119 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:22,427 Speaker 2: So the problem we have over here, the big talking 120 00:06:22,467 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 2: point around entering a big beast team over here, Ben, 121 00:06:24,667 --> 00:06:26,387 Speaker 2: and I'm sure this won't surprise you is that if 122 00:06:26,427 --> 00:06:29,587 Speaker 2: that does happen, then what happens to the next tier 123 00:06:29,627 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 2: of cricketer? Even if it's two teams, what are we 124 00:06:31,587 --> 00:06:34,787 Speaker 2: talking there? Maybe thirty players, thirty five players, and then 125 00:06:34,827 --> 00:06:36,587 Speaker 2: we talk about the female side of the game as well. 126 00:06:36,907 --> 00:06:39,187 Speaker 2: So you know, from the outside looking in, does it 127 00:06:39,187 --> 00:06:41,907 Speaker 2: look like a bit of an odd call if you 128 00:06:41,987 --> 00:06:45,707 Speaker 2: are then sort of almost jettison the next layer of 129 00:06:45,787 --> 00:06:49,067 Speaker 2: cricket criet players who currently play domestically here. 130 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:52,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely. I mean you'd have to have some way 131 00:06:53,067 --> 00:06:56,907 Speaker 3: where there's a domestic T twenty competition still feeding into that, 132 00:06:56,987 --> 00:07:00,627 Speaker 3: I suppose. Look, I mean, I'm not sure you know 133 00:07:00,667 --> 00:07:02,627 Speaker 3: whether the benefits are there for New Zealand. I sense 134 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,387 Speaker 3: they're probably not. But I guess if you were to 135 00:07:05,427 --> 00:07:07,307 Speaker 3: look at you know, what they could get out of it. 136 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:09,627 Speaker 3: You know, if it was the chance to play in 137 00:07:09,667 --> 00:07:14,307 Speaker 3: a high quality T twenty league, you know that's you know, 138 00:07:14,547 --> 00:07:17,467 Speaker 3: which is perhaps a level above what the New Zealand 139 00:07:17,467 --> 00:07:21,107 Speaker 3: domestic competition is offering, then you know, I suppose that 140 00:07:21,227 --> 00:07:24,467 Speaker 3: is a good stepping stone then to producing international players. 141 00:07:25,547 --> 00:07:27,747 Speaker 3: So you know, it would depend on the quality of 142 00:07:27,787 --> 00:07:30,187 Speaker 3: the competition that the Big Bash was able to put 143 00:07:30,227 --> 00:07:33,347 Speaker 3: together the quality of the international players they are able 144 00:07:33,387 --> 00:07:37,667 Speaker 3: to attract. But yeah, look, I guess there's no guarantees 145 00:07:37,707 --> 00:07:39,187 Speaker 3: with that, and if it's going to limit the number 146 00:07:39,227 --> 00:07:42,427 Speaker 3: of opportunities available to New Zealand players, and you know, 147 00:07:42,467 --> 00:07:44,987 Speaker 3: you can certainly understand where you know, the hesitancy there. 148 00:07:45,627 --> 00:07:47,387 Speaker 2: You talked about the genie out of the bottle before, 149 00:07:47,427 --> 00:07:49,587 Speaker 2: and I think that's also one of the one of 150 00:07:49,627 --> 00:07:52,027 Speaker 2: the conversation topics over here. If we go to a 151 00:07:52,067 --> 00:07:54,587 Speaker 2: privatized franchise league, what does that what does that mean 152 00:07:54,627 --> 00:07:56,747 Speaker 2: in terms of the control of the game over there? 153 00:07:56,747 --> 00:07:59,347 Speaker 2: With the privatization being is that part of it too, 154 00:07:59,387 --> 00:08:02,667 Speaker 2: that you know, a franchise owner might have a bunch 155 00:08:02,707 --> 00:08:04,787 Speaker 2: of you know, different teams around the world and they 156 00:08:04,827 --> 00:08:06,707 Speaker 2: expect a Pat Cummins or a Travis he to be 157 00:08:06,747 --> 00:08:08,787 Speaker 2: part of that, and then they say, what, well, hang on, 158 00:08:08,787 --> 00:08:11,267 Speaker 2: what about the boxing day teast? What about teach cricket? 159 00:08:11,707 --> 00:08:13,307 Speaker 2: Is that part of the conversation. 160 00:08:12,987 --> 00:08:17,267 Speaker 3: Too, absolutely, And that's you know, that's that's cricket Australia's 161 00:08:17,267 --> 00:08:21,387 Speaker 3: biggest consideration in all this, because you know, Australian cricket fans, 162 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:24,627 Speaker 3: their priority is still overwhelmingly is test cricket. I mean, 163 00:08:24,947 --> 00:08:26,867 Speaker 3: as much as the Big Bashes is a hit when 164 00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:30,387 Speaker 3: it's on in the summer, you know, fans, you wouldn't 165 00:08:30,427 --> 00:08:33,467 Speaker 3: forgive cricket Australia if Test cricket was sacrificed for the 166 00:08:33,507 --> 00:08:36,427 Speaker 3: sake of expanding the Big Bash or making the Big 167 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:40,467 Speaker 3: Bash a bigger show. So you know, it's the biggest 168 00:08:40,507 --> 00:08:43,707 Speaker 3: issue that Australia has with their summer is you know, 169 00:08:43,787 --> 00:08:46,627 Speaker 3: all these things are fighting for a very small piece 170 00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:49,227 Speaker 3: of real estate in the summer. You know, everything wants 171 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:53,027 Speaker 3: to be in the school holidays and you know, and 172 00:08:53,107 --> 00:08:55,747 Speaker 3: you know with test cricket, especially with the traditions around 173 00:08:55,787 --> 00:08:58,907 Speaker 3: the Boxing Day Test and the Sydney Test, you know, 174 00:08:58,987 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 3: if they're sort of immovable objects, how do you how 175 00:09:02,027 --> 00:09:03,947 Speaker 3: do you give the Big Bash the prime of the 176 00:09:03,987 --> 00:09:07,467 Speaker 3: summer as well? You know England as I don't know 177 00:09:07,507 --> 00:09:10,267 Speaker 3: how successful it's been in England, but they've been able 178 00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:13,867 Speaker 3: to kind of maneuver their Test summer into the front 179 00:09:13,907 --> 00:09:17,107 Speaker 3: half and then they've put their one hundred competition into 180 00:09:17,107 --> 00:09:18,987 Speaker 3: what used to be known as that the prime part 181 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:21,507 Speaker 3: of their summer. But I'm just not sure Australia can 182 00:09:21,547 --> 00:09:24,787 Speaker 3: really get away with that, and that's the big question 183 00:09:24,827 --> 00:09:27,547 Speaker 3: whether they can have the best of both worlds. You know, 184 00:09:27,667 --> 00:09:33,467 Speaker 3: can you accept the private dollar and still have you know, 185 00:09:33,587 --> 00:09:37,227 Speaker 3: the test players being able to prioritize test cricket over 186 00:09:37,267 --> 00:09:40,467 Speaker 3: their franchises, because as I see it, I can't really 187 00:09:40,467 --> 00:09:43,667 Speaker 3: see how that changes in the immediate future. But you know, 188 00:09:43,707 --> 00:09:46,347 Speaker 3: perhaps in ten years, fifteen years, twenty years time, we're 189 00:09:46,347 --> 00:09:49,667 Speaker 3: looking at a very different scenario where Test cricket is 190 00:09:49,707 --> 00:09:52,027 Speaker 3: having to take a back seat, and I think that's 191 00:09:52,227 --> 00:09:53,547 Speaker 3: what a lot of people are afraid of. 192 00:09:54,067 --> 00:09:55,947 Speaker 2: Indeed. All right, just to finish then, Ben, if you're 193 00:09:55,987 --> 00:09:58,547 Speaker 2: advising you can be an independent advisor here, if you're 194 00:09:58,547 --> 00:10:01,787 Speaker 2: advising that New Zealand Cricket's board on this, I mean, 195 00:10:02,347 --> 00:10:06,347 Speaker 2: what would you be telling them? 196 00:10:05,707 --> 00:10:09,547 Speaker 3: Well, I do think that ultimately there can only be 197 00:10:09,907 --> 00:10:12,347 Speaker 3: a certain number of T twenty leagues around the world 198 00:10:12,387 --> 00:10:16,867 Speaker 3: that are that top tier. You know, there just can't 199 00:10:16,907 --> 00:10:19,747 Speaker 3: be this endless number of T twenty leagues around the 200 00:10:19,747 --> 00:10:22,707 Speaker 3: world that are successful. So I guess if New Zealand 201 00:10:23,067 --> 00:10:26,867 Speaker 3: are convinced that the Big Bash can take that step 202 00:10:27,027 --> 00:10:30,227 Speaker 3: and be you know, one of the top three or 203 00:10:30,307 --> 00:10:34,427 Speaker 3: four franchise leagues in the world, then perhaps it's a 204 00:10:34,427 --> 00:10:37,467 Speaker 3: good idea to jump on that train. But you know, 205 00:10:38,187 --> 00:10:42,267 Speaker 3: I can definitely see the hesitation and if they can 206 00:10:42,267 --> 00:10:44,427 Speaker 3: come up with their own if New Zealand can come 207 00:10:44,507 --> 00:10:48,107 Speaker 3: up with their own local version of all this, that 208 00:10:48,467 --> 00:10:51,507 Speaker 3: works better for them than you know, I'd say that 209 00:10:51,507 --> 00:10:55,467 Speaker 3: that's probably the favorite option, but look at the tough 210 00:10:55,467 --> 00:10:57,107 Speaker 3: one and it's hard, I suppose, for New Zealand to 211 00:10:57,707 --> 00:11:00,507 Speaker 3: really jump into any decision on this until Australia has 212 00:11:00,507 --> 00:11:03,427 Speaker 3: got their ducks in a row, because that's their situation 213 00:11:03,587 --> 00:11:06,667 Speaker 3: is far from sort of at the moment. So yeah, 214 00:11:06,707 --> 00:11:09,107 Speaker 3: it's been dragging on for a long time, this conversation. 215 00:11:09,267 --> 00:11:10,907 Speaker 3: I sense there's still a fair way to go on 216 00:11:10,947 --> 00:11:11,427 Speaker 3: it as well. 217 00:11:11,867 --> 00:11:14,027 Speaker 2: Indeed, Hey, thanks for your insight and your analysis. Ben, 218 00:11:14,067 --> 00:11:15,467 Speaker 2: really appreciate you joining us today. 219 00:11:16,347 --> 00:11:17,787 Speaker 3: No, thanks for having me, no problem. 220 00:11:18,027 --> 00:11:20,267 Speaker 2: Good on your being Ben Hornett, chief cricket writer with 221 00:11:20,347 --> 00:11:22,467 Speaker 2: the Daily Telegraph in Australia, not to be confused with 222 00:11:22,507 --> 00:11:26,707 Speaker 2: a former Auckland cricketer and now commentator. Still waiting for 223 00:11:26,747 --> 00:11:30,067 Speaker 2: the decision, and as been mentioned, there may be and 224 00:11:30,107 --> 00:11:31,907 Speaker 2: this has been suggested to me on text as well, 225 00:11:31,947 --> 00:11:34,507 Speaker 2: maybe New Zealand Cricketer just waiting to see if the 226 00:11:34,507 --> 00:11:37,147 Speaker 2: franchise model is approved in Australia before they make a 227 00:11:37,187 --> 00:11:41,987 Speaker 2: decision here. I guess that's valid. Deloitte have presented a 228 00:11:42,027 --> 00:11:45,467 Speaker 2: report to the board recommendations or at least an assessment 229 00:11:45,987 --> 00:11:48,387 Speaker 2: of the options available. I should probably make that clear. 230 00:11:48,467 --> 00:11:51,307 Speaker 2: I don't think Deloitte, as I understand it, gave a 231 00:11:51,387 --> 00:11:54,587 Speaker 2: recommendation to the board to say this is the best way. 232 00:11:55,227 --> 00:11:58,147 Speaker 2: They assessed the options on the table and gave that 233 00:11:58,227 --> 00:12:00,787 Speaker 2: assessment to the board to help them make what is 234 00:12:00,867 --> 00:12:07,667 Speaker 2: a hugely important decision. Look, Status COO isn't an option. 235 00:12:07,707 --> 00:12:09,987 Speaker 2: They can't just stick with what they've got or really 236 00:12:09,987 --> 00:12:12,547 Speaker 2: supercharge what they've got. I just don't think that's an option. 237 00:12:12,787 --> 00:12:17,387 Speaker 2: So we come down to NZ twenty, a private franchise 238 00:12:17,387 --> 00:12:21,107 Speaker 2: based T twenty competition here or entering a New Zealand 239 00:12:21,187 --> 00:12:25,667 Speaker 2: side presumably men's and women's has to be both into 240 00:12:25,707 --> 00:12:28,947 Speaker 2: Australia's Big Bash. And the more I think about that 241 00:12:28,987 --> 00:12:33,027 Speaker 2: second option, the more I think it is just such 242 00:12:33,027 --> 00:12:37,867 Speaker 2: a hair brained idea to even entertain entering a New 243 00:12:37,987 --> 00:12:42,507 Speaker 2: Zealand team into the Big Bash. Not necessarily because the 244 00:12:42,587 --> 00:12:46,267 Speaker 2: concept itself is bad. The Big Bash is a successful league, 245 00:12:47,547 --> 00:12:51,427 Speaker 2: but because of what it would mean for the players 246 00:12:51,467 --> 00:12:55,747 Speaker 2: who don't make the New Zealand team in the Big Bash, 247 00:12:56,187 --> 00:12:58,667 Speaker 2: let's just say there's one team to start with. I mean, 248 00:12:58,707 --> 00:13:01,787 Speaker 2: I think, as Ben said, they're the conversation which was 249 00:13:01,827 --> 00:13:04,267 Speaker 2: had a few years ago, we need at least two. 250 00:13:04,507 --> 00:13:07,747 Speaker 2: But let's say it's just one, one men's team, one 251 00:13:07,747 --> 00:13:10,907 Speaker 2: women's team based here playing in the Big Bash. What 252 00:13:10,947 --> 00:13:13,227 Speaker 2: would that mean maybe eighteen to twenty less, say twenty 253 00:13:13,307 --> 00:13:18,067 Speaker 2: contracted players in each of those two squads. So what 254 00:13:18,267 --> 00:13:22,627 Speaker 2: happens to the other fifty to sixty players who currently 255 00:13:22,707 --> 00:13:27,147 Speaker 2: represent the major associations over the summer and what has 256 00:13:27,267 --> 00:13:30,587 Speaker 2: until now been the Super Smash? What do those players do? 257 00:13:31,907 --> 00:13:35,267 Speaker 2: Who do they play for? Will there even be a 258 00:13:35,347 --> 00:13:42,027 Speaker 2: domestic T twenty competition? And if there is, how diluted 259 00:13:42,027 --> 00:13:44,787 Speaker 2: would it be if you remove the top twenty men 260 00:13:44,787 --> 00:13:48,267 Speaker 2: and the top twenty women from it? It just seems 261 00:13:48,267 --> 00:13:53,427 Speaker 2: to raise far more questions than answers for me, particularly 262 00:13:53,467 --> 00:13:57,067 Speaker 2: around that wider player Paul where during the week, players 263 00:13:57,067 --> 00:14:00,267 Speaker 2: like Daryl Mitchell, Rutch and Ravendra Lockey Ferguson speaking in 264 00:14:00,307 --> 00:14:04,627 Speaker 2: favor of an NZ twenty competition, and I did see 265 00:14:04,627 --> 00:14:06,107 Speaker 2: a bit of rhetoric to say, well, of course they're 266 00:14:06,107 --> 00:14:08,707 Speaker 2: going to say that those players because they'll benefit from it. 267 00:14:10,067 --> 00:14:14,107 Speaker 2: That's true, but you know what, Rich and Ravender, Daryl Mitchell, 268 00:14:14,147 --> 00:14:18,467 Speaker 2: Lockey Ferguson could probably earn more money playing in the 269 00:14:18,467 --> 00:14:22,627 Speaker 2: Big Bash. It felt to me what they were actually 270 00:14:22,667 --> 00:14:27,347 Speaker 2: talking about was the wider New Zealand cricket ecosystem and 271 00:14:27,427 --> 00:14:30,867 Speaker 2: what entering the Big Bash would mean for the depth 272 00:14:30,907 --> 00:14:33,147 Speaker 2: of the game here and for the players who were 273 00:14:33,227 --> 00:14:38,267 Speaker 2: left behind. I just can't see a scenario under which 274 00:14:38,467 --> 00:14:41,387 Speaker 2: entry into the Big Bash should be favored ahead of 275 00:14:41,387 --> 00:14:48,427 Speaker 2: a strong domestic franchise based competition because you're leaving too 276 00:14:48,467 --> 00:14:53,267 Speaker 2: many people behind. Hopefully the New Zealand Cricket Board will 277 00:14:53,267 --> 00:14:55,467 Speaker 2: see sense, and hopefully can we just have a decision. 278 00:14:55,867 --> 00:14:57,787 Speaker 2: I know I just said that. Maybe they're waiting for 279 00:14:57,787 --> 00:15:00,147 Speaker 2: what happens in Australia, but can we just be our 280 00:15:00,187 --> 00:15:06,067 Speaker 2: own masters on this and have a decision 281 00:15:06,747 --> 00:15:09,907 Speaker 1: For more From Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 282 00:15:10,027 --> 00:15:13,307 Speaker 1: to news talks at b weekends from midday, or follow 283 00:15:13,347 --> 00:15:14,947 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.