1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zedb. 3 00:00:13,147 --> 00:00:17,507 Speaker 2: Around things like eligibility and contracting. Are two more prominent 4 00:00:17,787 --> 00:00:20,987 Speaker 2: black Caps will no longer be on central contracts with 5 00:00:21,067 --> 00:00:23,667 Speaker 2: New Zealand Cricket for the summer ahead, driven by a 6 00:00:23,667 --> 00:00:26,467 Speaker 2: desire to play in South Africa's domestic T twenty competition. 7 00:00:26,787 --> 00:00:30,387 Speaker 2: Devon Conway is joining Kane Williamson in moving on to 8 00:00:30,507 --> 00:00:34,667 Speaker 2: a casual deal. Devin Conway will still be available for 9 00:00:34,787 --> 00:00:38,747 Speaker 2: all nine of the team's upcoming test matches. That's Afghanistan 10 00:00:39,027 --> 00:00:41,107 Speaker 2: and a one off test, two against Rilanka, three against 11 00:00:41,147 --> 00:00:44,787 Speaker 2: India and then three here against England and all other 12 00:00:44,867 --> 00:00:47,787 Speaker 2: matches outside of the January window, so he's actually not 13 00:00:47,827 --> 00:00:50,467 Speaker 2: missing a heck of a lot of international cricket. Fellow 14 00:00:50,467 --> 00:00:53,467 Speaker 2: opener Finell, in meantime, won't have a contract with New 15 00:00:53,547 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 2: Zealand Cricket of any sort. He's turned down a central 16 00:00:57,067 --> 00:01:01,027 Speaker 2: deal to focus on T twenty franchise opportunities and has 17 00:01:01,147 --> 00:01:04,587 Speaker 2: not been offered a casual contract. New Zealand Crickets say 18 00:01:04,587 --> 00:01:07,267 Speaker 2: Finellan will remain available for the Black Apps on a 19 00:01:07,307 --> 00:01:11,067 Speaker 2: case by case basis. Let's bring in New Zealand Cricket 20 00:01:11,067 --> 00:01:15,027 Speaker 2: Players Association CEO Heath Mills. Heath, thanks for taking the time. 21 00:01:15,067 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 2: What is the difference, first of all, between a player 22 00:01:17,707 --> 00:01:21,067 Speaker 2: having a central contract with New Zealand Cricket and having 23 00:01:21,307 --> 00:01:25,067 Speaker 2: a casual contract as is the case with Devon, Conway 24 00:01:25,107 --> 00:01:26,467 Speaker 2: and Kane Williamson. 25 00:01:27,427 --> 00:01:30,907 Speaker 3: Good Aston, Jason, It's good to speak with you. Yes, 26 00:01:31,627 --> 00:01:34,427 Speaker 3: I think the starting point probably for me, is people 27 00:01:34,947 --> 00:01:39,867 Speaker 3: need to separate contracting from selection. There are two different 28 00:01:39,907 --> 00:01:42,907 Speaker 3: things a player can. We obviously only contract twenty players 29 00:01:42,947 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 3: anyway any given year, but thirty five will play typically 30 00:01:45,867 --> 00:01:49,387 Speaker 3: food for New Zealand. At domestic level we contract sixteen 31 00:01:49,907 --> 00:01:52,627 Speaker 3: in each team, but typically twenty five to thirty will 32 00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:55,187 Speaker 3: play each year. So just because you're not on a 33 00:01:55,227 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 3: contract doesn't mean you won't be selected. In terms of 34 00:02:00,067 --> 00:02:04,347 Speaker 3: Devon and Kane, they have decided that they want to 35 00:02:04,347 --> 00:02:08,307 Speaker 3: take up playing opportunities. We're in January and within our 36 00:02:08,627 --> 00:02:11,547 Speaker 3: colleguive agreement with New Zealand Cricket and the contracts, it's 37 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 3: made very clear that if you're going to be on 38 00:02:13,547 --> 00:02:16,507 Speaker 3: a full New Zealand Cricket contract or a full domestic contract, 39 00:02:16,827 --> 00:02:19,467 Speaker 3: you have to be available for the Super Smash effectively 40 00:02:19,587 --> 00:02:22,427 Speaker 3: the month of January and also in the international cricket 41 00:02:22,467 --> 00:02:25,587 Speaker 3: played across the summer period in New Zealand because that's 42 00:02:25,627 --> 00:02:29,227 Speaker 3: where New Zealand Cricket makes the vast amount of its revenue. 43 00:02:29,307 --> 00:02:32,867 Speaker 3: So we've accepted that and agreed with that as a position. 44 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:36,707 Speaker 3: So as we know, the cricket world's changing greatly and 45 00:02:36,747 --> 00:02:38,427 Speaker 3: I'm sure we'll get onto that in a minute. But 46 00:02:39,187 --> 00:02:42,467 Speaker 3: when it comes to Devin and Kaine, they've elected not 47 00:02:42,547 --> 00:02:45,427 Speaker 3: to take full contracts for New Zealand Cricket contracts and 48 00:02:45,787 --> 00:02:48,027 Speaker 3: because they want to be playing elsewhere in January in 49 00:02:48,067 --> 00:02:51,627 Speaker 3: their situation in the South African T twenty comp So 50 00:02:51,667 --> 00:02:54,147 Speaker 3: then they move on to to be considered for what 51 00:02:54,187 --> 00:02:57,467 Speaker 3: we call a casual playing agreement, and that's what any 52 00:02:57,507 --> 00:02:59,547 Speaker 3: other player would be on at domestic level who doesn't 53 00:02:59,547 --> 00:03:02,187 Speaker 3: have a full contract there would be playing under a 54 00:03:02,227 --> 00:03:04,107 Speaker 3: casual playing agreement because when you play, you've got to 55 00:03:04,107 --> 00:03:08,067 Speaker 3: have an agreement of some sort. They are now in 56 00:03:08,147 --> 00:03:11,067 Speaker 3: the casual plane agreement category and that's where New Zealand 57 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:14,467 Speaker 3: Cricket has discretion, so it can decide we want to 58 00:03:14,507 --> 00:03:17,547 Speaker 3: put someone on a full casual plane agreement with New 59 00:03:17,667 --> 00:03:21,907 Speaker 3: Zealand Cricket directly where they have paid a small retainer, 60 00:03:22,267 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 3: they stay in contact, they're effectively available for the rest 61 00:03:25,347 --> 00:03:28,147 Speaker 3: of the year other than January. They still receive full 62 00:03:28,187 --> 00:03:31,787 Speaker 3: match fees in fact and elevated match fee and payments 63 00:03:31,827 --> 00:03:34,947 Speaker 3: for promotions, et cetera. And they're part of the team 64 00:03:34,987 --> 00:03:37,347 Speaker 3: and in the high performance environment here in New Zealand. 65 00:03:38,507 --> 00:03:41,667 Speaker 3: Or they can make a decision where but we don't 66 00:03:41,667 --> 00:03:44,387 Speaker 3: want to put you on a full international casual agreement. 67 00:03:45,267 --> 00:03:47,787 Speaker 3: We're happy to pick you at times when it works 68 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:50,267 Speaker 3: for us, but when you play then you'll just be 69 00:03:50,307 --> 00:03:53,627 Speaker 3: playing under a normal casual agreement. So that's at New 70 00:03:53,707 --> 00:03:57,427 Speaker 3: Zealand Crickets discretion, and as we've seen, they're elected to 71 00:03:57,547 --> 00:04:01,787 Speaker 3: keep Devon and Kane within the high performance system in 72 00:04:01,867 --> 00:04:06,187 Speaker 3: on these full casual agreements, whereas players like finn In 73 00:04:06,387 --> 00:04:09,667 Speaker 3: previously at the mill In Lucky Ferguson are just now 74 00:04:10,267 --> 00:04:14,027 Speaker 3: primarily focused on the T twenty franchise comp All players 75 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:17,627 Speaker 3: will be available for New Zealand when they can and 76 00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:20,187 Speaker 3: they're still able to be selected, But that's fully at 77 00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:22,587 Speaker 3: New Zealand Crickets discretion. Sorry for the long when it. 78 00:04:22,587 --> 00:04:27,587 Speaker 2: Does it's a great explanation he it covers it completely. 79 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:30,787 Speaker 2: So my next question is who at New Zealand Cricket 80 00:04:31,267 --> 00:04:35,267 Speaker 2: makes the case by case discretionary decisions on who gets 81 00:04:35,307 --> 00:04:36,747 Speaker 2: casual contracts and who doesn't. 82 00:04:37,987 --> 00:04:40,947 Speaker 3: Well, that's New Zealand Cricket the organization. I guess ultimately 83 00:04:40,987 --> 00:04:45,187 Speaker 3: that that stops with Scott the CEO on the board. 84 00:04:45,227 --> 00:04:49,867 Speaker 3: But Brian Stronach has been very effective high perform think 85 00:04:49,907 --> 00:04:51,987 Speaker 3: for the best high performance manager in New Zealand sport 86 00:04:52,187 --> 00:04:55,387 Speaker 3: Is leads that process and communication with the players and 87 00:04:55,427 --> 00:04:58,947 Speaker 3: the coaches, and then ultimately New Zealand Cricket, Scott and 88 00:04:58,947 --> 00:05:01,227 Speaker 3: the board would would make a decision that I would assume. 89 00:05:02,667 --> 00:05:07,947 Speaker 2: Do you think there is a design to choose contracted 90 00:05:07,947 --> 00:05:11,667 Speaker 2: players ahead of non contracted players for New Zealand. You 91 00:05:11,707 --> 00:05:14,147 Speaker 2: talked about selection and how there are twenty contracted players 92 00:05:14,307 --> 00:05:16,187 Speaker 2: thirty odd play for New Zealand. Do you think when 93 00:05:16,787 --> 00:05:20,347 Speaker 2: Gary Stead and others are sitting down to select Black 94 00:05:20,347 --> 00:05:25,867 Speaker 2: Caps teams that they would be more they'd be keener 95 00:05:26,027 --> 00:05:27,347 Speaker 2: to pick contracted players. 96 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:32,747 Speaker 3: So all I can communicator is what we've been told 97 00:05:32,747 --> 00:05:36,067 Speaker 3: and understand, and it's that New Zealand Cricket obviously play 98 00:05:36,107 --> 00:05:38,187 Speaker 3: a lot of international cricket during the course of a year, 99 00:05:38,747 --> 00:05:41,907 Speaker 3: and there will be some series in events obviously like 100 00:05:41,907 --> 00:05:45,387 Speaker 3: an ICC event, that they will prioritize and that will 101 00:05:45,387 --> 00:05:48,627 Speaker 3: be a focus for them, and they will look to 102 00:05:48,667 --> 00:05:51,987 Speaker 3: pick the best players with no matter their contract status, 103 00:05:51,987 --> 00:05:54,787 Speaker 3: whether they're on a New Zealand Cricket contract, domestic contract 104 00:05:54,867 --> 00:05:58,187 Speaker 3: or or some form of a casual agreement. But there 105 00:05:58,227 --> 00:06:02,707 Speaker 3: are other series and competitions where they want to focus 106 00:06:02,787 --> 00:06:04,787 Speaker 3: and all the players, this is made clear to all 107 00:06:04,827 --> 00:06:08,027 Speaker 3: the players that they want to focus on players who 108 00:06:08,067 --> 00:06:11,547 Speaker 3: are working effectively full time here in New Zealand and 109 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:14,267 Speaker 3: commit to New Zealand cricket fully and work within the 110 00:06:14,307 --> 00:06:18,907 Speaker 3: high performance system here. So that's effectively the line of 111 00:06:18,947 --> 00:06:23,267 Speaker 3: delineation that that they've said that well, for our big events, 112 00:06:23,267 --> 00:06:27,147 Speaker 3: in our big series, we will considering anyone no matter 113 00:06:27,187 --> 00:06:30,267 Speaker 3: their contracts status, but for everything else we want to 114 00:06:30,267 --> 00:06:32,107 Speaker 3: focus on those who are committed and working in the 115 00:06:32,147 --> 00:06:34,187 Speaker 3: high performance system here in New Zealand. 116 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:37,627 Speaker 2: Do you think there's a potential for any tension between 117 00:06:38,027 --> 00:06:40,507 Speaker 2: players who are contracted and players who aren't when it 118 00:06:40,507 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 2: comes to selection. For example, if a non contracted player 119 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:46,987 Speaker 2: is selected over a contracted one. Is there any potential 120 00:06:47,027 --> 00:06:47,907 Speaker 2: for tension. 121 00:06:47,587 --> 00:06:52,747 Speaker 3: There, I guess you know there could be, but that's 122 00:06:52,787 --> 00:06:56,067 Speaker 3: not what we've experienced. We've dealt with this for three 123 00:06:56,107 --> 00:07:00,107 Speaker 3: or four years now. Obviously last year Trent Bolton Jimmy 124 00:07:00,147 --> 00:07:03,507 Speaker 3: Nisian played under casual playing agreements for New Zealand and 125 00:07:03,507 --> 00:07:07,067 Speaker 3: at ICC events and our players are pretty used to 126 00:07:07,187 --> 00:07:09,707 Speaker 3: plying their trade all around the world at different times 127 00:07:09,747 --> 00:07:15,587 Speaker 3: in different competitions and they understand the situation. I think 128 00:07:16,027 --> 00:07:18,107 Speaker 3: there's certainly no tension between the players or not that 129 00:07:18,187 --> 00:07:23,307 Speaker 3: I've experienced. I think there's a bigger question about where 130 00:07:23,467 --> 00:07:27,307 Speaker 3: cricket's going in terms of its structure, in how the 131 00:07:27,387 --> 00:07:31,787 Speaker 3: gamers are running its international competitions and it's franchise competitions. 132 00:07:31,827 --> 00:07:34,227 Speaker 3: I think there's tension there, but that's a that's an 133 00:07:34,267 --> 00:07:37,107 Speaker 3: issue for New Zealand Cricket in all the national boards 134 00:07:37,107 --> 00:07:41,067 Speaker 3: and the ICC to deal with. But I can't in 135 00:07:41,107 --> 00:07:43,507 Speaker 3: any way see how it's good for our sport where 136 00:07:43,827 --> 00:07:48,387 Speaker 3: we have franchise competitions competing directly with International cricket for 137 00:07:48,467 --> 00:07:51,347 Speaker 3: the interests of not only the players but also for 138 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:54,227 Speaker 3: the fans, and I think it's very confusing and I 139 00:07:54,267 --> 00:07:56,547 Speaker 3: think the structure of the game is the biggest issue 140 00:07:56,547 --> 00:07:56,947 Speaker 3: we face. 141 00:07:57,387 --> 00:07:59,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, so why are South Africa having the having their 142 00:07:59,667 --> 00:08:02,587 Speaker 2: T twenty competition which is being used to a track 143 00:08:02,667 --> 00:08:05,467 Speaker 2: players like Devin Conway, King Williamson and others. Why are 144 00:08:05,467 --> 00:08:06,427 Speaker 2: they having that in jam. 145 00:08:09,307 --> 00:08:12,627 Speaker 3: They have been one of the first movers to their 146 00:08:12,667 --> 00:08:16,267 Speaker 3: credit where they've seen the success of the IPL where 147 00:08:17,627 --> 00:08:19,867 Speaker 3: for seven weeks of the year, the eight weeks of 148 00:08:19,867 --> 00:08:21,947 Speaker 3: the year the IPL has played and the Indian Cricket 149 00:08:21,947 --> 00:08:25,227 Speaker 3: Board played no international cricket, so it's the only show 150 00:08:25,227 --> 00:08:28,947 Speaker 3: in town in India and that's proved to be very successful. 151 00:08:29,427 --> 00:08:32,707 Speaker 3: Since South Africans have said or we know that we're 152 00:08:32,707 --> 00:08:34,867 Speaker 3: going to be we're likely to be playing less international 153 00:08:34,867 --> 00:08:37,867 Speaker 3: cricket in the future, we all know cricket has played 154 00:08:37,907 --> 00:08:41,267 Speaker 3: far too much international bilateral cricket for five ten years 155 00:08:41,347 --> 00:08:43,587 Speaker 3: now and almost devalue that product. I hate they use 156 00:08:43,627 --> 00:08:46,507 Speaker 3: that word, but that's effectively what's happened. There's a lot 157 00:08:46,507 --> 00:08:49,067 Speaker 3: of what would be described as meaningless cricket that don't 158 00:08:49,107 --> 00:08:51,307 Speaker 3: seem that we play A lot of five P twenty 159 00:08:51,387 --> 00:08:53,947 Speaker 3: zero or three are the iesea that don't sort of 160 00:08:53,987 --> 00:08:57,627 Speaker 3: contribute to a higher purpose or goal or competition, so 161 00:08:57,747 --> 00:09:00,547 Speaker 3: franchise T twenty cricketers is gained a lot of traction 162 00:09:00,667 --> 00:09:03,907 Speaker 3: with broadcasters and fans. So South Africa have said for 163 00:09:04,347 --> 00:09:06,827 Speaker 3: five six weeks of the year, we're going to our 164 00:09:06,827 --> 00:09:09,467 Speaker 3: best players are going to be playing in the franchise competition. 165 00:09:09,547 --> 00:09:13,067 Speaker 3: We will not hugel men's international cricket. At that time, 166 00:09:14,307 --> 00:09:16,507 Speaker 3: the franchise come was the main focus and it's been 167 00:09:16,627 --> 00:09:19,347 Speaker 3: hugely successful in the last two or three years. Last 168 00:09:19,427 --> 00:09:23,267 Speaker 3: year we saw that they sent effective BC team out 169 00:09:23,307 --> 00:09:25,587 Speaker 3: to play us in Test cricket because the best players 170 00:09:25,627 --> 00:09:28,627 Speaker 3: were focused on the T twenty comp That is where 171 00:09:28,667 --> 00:09:31,547 Speaker 3: our game is going. And I'm not saying it's good, 172 00:09:31,667 --> 00:09:35,387 Speaker 3: bad or anything else, but it's a fact that the 173 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:40,827 Speaker 3: fans interest is now going towards franchise TA twenty competitions 174 00:09:41,067 --> 00:09:43,867 Speaker 3: ahead of a lot of international cricket, and South Africa 175 00:09:43,907 --> 00:09:48,267 Speaker 3: have prioritized it. Australians haven't yet, but I suspect that 176 00:09:48,347 --> 00:09:51,267 Speaker 3: will be a conversation that's not too far away with 177 00:09:51,347 --> 00:09:54,827 Speaker 3: a Big Bash, whether they continue to play the Big 178 00:09:54,867 --> 00:09:56,707 Speaker 3: Bash at the same time as they're playing the men's 179 00:09:56,707 --> 00:10:01,187 Speaker 3: international summer of cricket back home. These are all all 180 00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:03,947 Speaker 3: questions at the moment that a lot of cricket administrators 181 00:10:03,987 --> 00:10:07,707 Speaker 3: are facing and grappling with. You know, as I said earlier, 182 00:10:07,827 --> 00:10:09,907 Speaker 3: you know, I think this is the biggest challenge of 183 00:10:10,107 --> 00:10:12,587 Speaker 3: my strong view and know the view of the World 184 00:10:12,587 --> 00:10:15,107 Speaker 3: Crickets Associations. We need a piece of work done on 185 00:10:15,107 --> 00:10:17,187 Speaker 3: the structure of the game, and we need to decide 186 00:10:18,027 --> 00:10:20,187 Speaker 3: what we want to prioritize if maybe we need to 187 00:10:20,187 --> 00:10:22,547 Speaker 3: play less international cricket, and we have windows for that, 188 00:10:23,187 --> 00:10:26,347 Speaker 3: and we have windows for T twenty franchise competition, so 189 00:10:26,507 --> 00:10:30,187 Speaker 3: players aren't forced to choose. In all are fens and 190 00:10:30,547 --> 00:10:32,747 Speaker 3: fans understand what's going on around the world, and when 191 00:10:32,747 --> 00:10:35,787 Speaker 3: we watch international cricket, we know it's the best players playing. 192 00:10:36,467 --> 00:10:38,107 Speaker 3: There hasn't been the case in cricket for a long 193 00:10:38,147 --> 00:10:38,507 Speaker 3: time now. 194 00:10:39,267 --> 00:10:40,787 Speaker 2: I want to get to test cricket in a minute, 195 00:10:40,827 --> 00:10:45,507 Speaker 2: But outside of Pinnacle events, is there any meaningful international 196 00:10:45,547 --> 00:10:46,627 Speaker 2: white ball cricket? Now? 197 00:10:48,987 --> 00:10:51,067 Speaker 3: Well as to the players who are playing at the time, 198 00:10:51,547 --> 00:10:54,347 Speaker 3: you know, we're all going to be careful here when 199 00:10:54,387 --> 00:10:56,987 Speaker 3: you're playing for your country and you know and you 200 00:10:57,027 --> 00:11:00,267 Speaker 3: get the opportunity to it's cin certainly very very meaningful 201 00:11:00,827 --> 00:11:03,867 Speaker 3: and there's some good white ball cricket played one day cricket, 202 00:11:03,907 --> 00:11:07,547 Speaker 3: particularly in T twenty. But I think that the question 203 00:11:07,667 --> 00:11:11,307 Speaker 3: we all have is what's the purpose of it? So 204 00:11:11,347 --> 00:11:14,147 Speaker 3: we all know IC events are going from strength to strength, 205 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:17,107 Speaker 3: occupy about four or five weeks of the year World 206 00:11:17,107 --> 00:11:19,347 Speaker 3: Cup every year now, and there's some debate whether that 207 00:11:19,427 --> 00:11:22,507 Speaker 3: should be the case, but it is and huge interest 208 00:11:22,587 --> 00:11:25,827 Speaker 3: from fans because they know it's one time during the 209 00:11:25,867 --> 00:11:28,347 Speaker 3: year when the best players are playing week and week 210 00:11:28,387 --> 00:11:31,907 Speaker 3: out and they and there's ultimately a start point and 211 00:11:31,947 --> 00:11:36,427 Speaker 3: then building to a crescendo and a winner with white 212 00:11:36,427 --> 00:11:38,707 Speaker 3: ball series around the world year or what what do 213 00:11:38,747 --> 00:11:40,747 Speaker 3: they want? What do we played them for? What's their purpose? 214 00:11:40,827 --> 00:11:42,987 Speaker 3: What do they mean? Now? Some of them are very 215 00:11:43,027 --> 00:11:47,387 Speaker 3: important for qualifying for the ICC events, and maybe that's 216 00:11:47,427 --> 00:11:49,587 Speaker 3: what we need to go back to. We just have 217 00:11:49,787 --> 00:11:53,067 Speaker 3: white ball series that are qualifying series for the for 218 00:11:53,107 --> 00:11:56,267 Speaker 3: the upcoming ICC will cut in. They've got lots of 219 00:11:56,347 --> 00:11:59,187 Speaker 3: meaning and lots of context for people, So you know, 220 00:11:59,227 --> 00:12:01,787 Speaker 3: they all these all these there's a good question and 221 00:12:01,987 --> 00:12:04,147 Speaker 3: I don't know the answer to it, but I you know, 222 00:12:04,387 --> 00:12:07,107 Speaker 3: I think this is where we need to focus attention 223 00:12:07,667 --> 00:12:08,827 Speaker 3: in the short term in cricket. 224 00:12:10,027 --> 00:12:12,027 Speaker 2: What is the place of Test cricket right now? Then, 225 00:12:12,067 --> 00:12:15,507 Speaker 2: in this ever changing landscape, heither where does Test cricket 226 00:12:15,987 --> 00:12:17,107 Speaker 2: sit among. 227 00:12:16,907 --> 00:12:17,307 Speaker 1: All of this? 228 00:12:19,587 --> 00:12:23,547 Speaker 3: Well, it's interesting, you know, Test cricket has been the 229 00:12:24,587 --> 00:12:27,827 Speaker 3: traditional format. That's with the format that people mind your 230 00:12:27,907 --> 00:12:33,227 Speaker 3: generation love the most. You know, there's interesting data coming 231 00:12:33,267 --> 00:12:35,627 Speaker 3: out there. People under the age of thirty aren't necessarily 232 00:12:35,627 --> 00:12:39,427 Speaker 3: watching Test cricket now, and I think it's The Test 233 00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:41,987 Speaker 3: Championship has been wonderful for it. It's given it a 234 00:12:41,987 --> 00:12:46,147 Speaker 3: bit of focus. Players suddenly like playing Test cricket, there's 235 00:12:46,147 --> 00:12:50,627 Speaker 3: no doubt about that, but it still lacks context to 236 00:12:50,707 --> 00:12:53,787 Speaker 3: meaning we have series that involved one match here, two 237 00:12:53,827 --> 00:12:58,347 Speaker 3: matches there, five matches over there. Not everyone plays each 238 00:12:58,347 --> 00:13:00,547 Speaker 3: other the same amount of time. So you've you've got 239 00:13:00,547 --> 00:13:04,947 Speaker 3: the Test Championship Final. I don't know another sporting evental 240 00:13:04,987 --> 00:13:07,747 Speaker 3: competition in the world where it participants decide how many 241 00:13:07,747 --> 00:13:11,027 Speaker 3: around Roman games they play against each other and it's 242 00:13:11,067 --> 00:13:15,187 Speaker 3: uneven and somehow the points are worked out to ultimately 243 00:13:15,227 --> 00:13:18,147 Speaker 3: see someone the clear that you know, the winner and 244 00:13:18,467 --> 00:13:21,027 Speaker 3: coming second to playing the Test Championship Final. Look, I 245 00:13:21,307 --> 00:13:23,987 Speaker 3: work in cricket and I couldn't tell tell you the 246 00:13:24,027 --> 00:13:27,467 Speaker 3: points system that works out the finalists for the Test Championship. 247 00:13:27,587 --> 00:13:30,987 Speaker 3: So I think the boards have failed Test cricket. They 248 00:13:30,987 --> 00:13:34,307 Speaker 3: will be very clear about that might be popular with some, 249 00:13:34,427 --> 00:13:37,147 Speaker 3: but the various national boards around the world have not 250 00:13:37,187 --> 00:13:40,787 Speaker 3: come together and agreed a schedule for Test cricket that 251 00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:43,627 Speaker 3: is fair for everyone and makes sense. And they could 252 00:13:43,667 --> 00:13:45,787 Speaker 3: easily do that, and they could easily have an annual 253 00:13:45,907 --> 00:13:49,187 Speaker 3: Test Championship, but that has not happened. So I think 254 00:13:49,387 --> 00:13:52,507 Speaker 3: because we see just series pop up all over the show, 255 00:13:53,787 --> 00:13:57,187 Speaker 3: people don't know what what the points count for or 256 00:13:57,267 --> 00:14:00,947 Speaker 3: what or they're not building towards it your and your 257 00:14:00,987 --> 00:14:03,667 Speaker 3: final or an annual competition, so other than the Test 258 00:14:03,707 --> 00:14:07,267 Speaker 3: Championship final every two years, which no one really understands 259 00:14:07,307 --> 00:14:11,387 Speaker 3: the points too. So I always think Test Cricket will exist. 260 00:14:12,227 --> 00:14:15,907 Speaker 3: The players want to play it, but I think there's 261 00:14:15,947 --> 00:14:19,067 Speaker 3: a lot of work to do from the boards if 262 00:14:19,107 --> 00:14:22,947 Speaker 3: they want to remain a foundational piece of the overall 263 00:14:22,987 --> 00:14:24,267 Speaker 3: cricket program. 264 00:14:24,587 --> 00:14:28,107 Speaker 2: Could the calendar heath could Could it be just Test 265 00:14:28,147 --> 00:14:32,427 Speaker 2: cricket and franchise T twenty cricket that's all. Could you 266 00:14:32,467 --> 00:14:34,547 Speaker 2: see a time when that is the cricketing calendar. 267 00:14:36,307 --> 00:14:42,027 Speaker 3: Possibly, possibly there would need to be qualifying series for 268 00:14:42,187 --> 00:14:46,067 Speaker 3: the ICC events, but they don't need to be substantive. 269 00:14:46,587 --> 00:14:51,307 Speaker 3: But my strong view is that we are going to 270 00:14:51,467 --> 00:14:53,707 Speaker 3: need to land with windows now. Either that will be 271 00:14:53,787 --> 00:14:56,947 Speaker 3: forced on the national boards through the growth of T 272 00:14:57,107 --> 00:15:03,307 Speaker 3: twenty franchise competitions, which I might add they own as well, 273 00:15:03,347 --> 00:15:05,747 Speaker 3: that we will end up with windows for franchise cricket, 274 00:15:06,107 --> 00:15:10,267 Speaker 3: tea cricket, and I think there's three comfortable windows during 275 00:15:10,307 --> 00:15:15,547 Speaker 3: the year April May for the subcontinent, you'd have sort 276 00:15:15,547 --> 00:15:19,067 Speaker 3: of July August for the UK, the Caribbean and the 277 00:15:19,147 --> 00:15:23,067 Speaker 3: US and probably January early February for Southern Hemisphere. We 278 00:15:23,107 --> 00:15:25,987 Speaker 3: could have windows where if there was rules that were 279 00:15:26,027 --> 00:15:28,507 Speaker 3: structure that was regulated, you could only play T twenty 280 00:15:28,587 --> 00:15:32,427 Speaker 3: franchise competitions. Then then outside of that you could have 281 00:15:32,467 --> 00:15:36,267 Speaker 3: an international test program. In fact, we could determine we 282 00:15:36,307 --> 00:15:38,507 Speaker 3: could decide that by the end of the day Piney 283 00:15:38,627 --> 00:15:40,987 Speaker 3: and get it in Stone and it would be it 284 00:15:40,987 --> 00:15:43,867 Speaker 3: would be a great, great outcome. But the politics of 285 00:15:43,907 --> 00:15:47,507 Speaker 3: the world game and the way the ICC structure that's 286 00:15:47,547 --> 00:15:50,867 Speaker 3: not a global governing body, it's a members organization. And 287 00:15:50,907 --> 00:15:53,907 Speaker 3: the National Cricket Board all wants to structure their own 288 00:15:53,987 --> 00:15:58,227 Speaker 3: program themselves and design their program that suits them and 289 00:15:58,307 --> 00:16:01,987 Speaker 3: won't come together and compromise to get a sort of 290 00:16:02,267 --> 00:16:05,067 Speaker 3: structure to the game, which I talked about earlier, which 291 00:16:05,107 --> 00:16:08,187 Speaker 3: I think is a set indictment on our sport. 292 00:16:08,667 --> 00:16:10,507 Speaker 2: You can probably include news Yelling cricket in that heat, 293 00:16:10,547 --> 00:16:12,347 Speaker 2: because I'm pretty sure they don't want to have no 294 00:16:12,467 --> 00:16:15,787 Speaker 2: international cricket in January and February every year. Would that 295 00:16:15,827 --> 00:16:16,227 Speaker 2: be fair? 296 00:16:17,547 --> 00:16:21,027 Speaker 3: Oh? Absolutely, you know, and I know we have a 297 00:16:21,147 --> 00:16:24,067 Speaker 3: very very strong working relationship with New Zealand Cricket and 298 00:16:24,107 --> 00:16:28,227 Speaker 3: they're a small board and you know, we don't generate 299 00:16:28,267 --> 00:16:29,907 Speaker 3: a lot of commercial revenue here in this part of 300 00:16:29,947 --> 00:16:33,507 Speaker 3: the world. We rely on the system working together. But yeah, 301 00:16:33,907 --> 00:16:36,867 Speaker 3: so I empathize for them with them, but they do 302 00:16:36,907 --> 00:16:40,467 Speaker 3: sit around the table and of course they want cricket 303 00:16:40,507 --> 00:16:44,307 Speaker 3: play here in January and February. It's you that's our 304 00:16:44,347 --> 00:16:47,107 Speaker 3: summer months for cricket. That's when people want to engage 305 00:16:47,147 --> 00:16:50,067 Speaker 3: in the sport here. So, you know, I think this 306 00:16:50,107 --> 00:16:51,947 Speaker 3: is why I think we've got some challenges are here 307 00:16:51,987 --> 00:16:54,347 Speaker 3: as a sport. You know, if there's going to be 308 00:16:54,387 --> 00:16:57,907 Speaker 3: a big franchise compan Australia and South Africa, and who 309 00:16:57,947 --> 00:17:00,747 Speaker 3: knows else. For the UAE at the moment played in 310 00:17:00,827 --> 00:17:04,867 Speaker 3: January then, and the money they're offering our players, I 311 00:17:04,907 --> 00:17:08,227 Speaker 3: can tell you is significant, significantly more than they can 312 00:17:08,307 --> 00:17:11,227 Speaker 3: earn here, then we're going to have a problem. So 313 00:17:11,267 --> 00:17:13,667 Speaker 3: do we need to start thinking about do we move 314 00:17:13,747 --> 00:17:16,387 Speaker 3: the Super Smash competition? Do we play it at different times? 315 00:17:17,507 --> 00:17:19,987 Speaker 3: Do we think about how we structure our international summer. 316 00:17:21,427 --> 00:17:23,347 Speaker 3: I think that's all got to be on the table, 317 00:17:24,427 --> 00:17:26,547 Speaker 3: But there's not an easy answer there because wherever you 318 00:17:26,627 --> 00:17:28,347 Speaker 3: move it to it at the moment, with how the 319 00:17:28,387 --> 00:17:30,747 Speaker 3: structure works with it kind of is no structure to 320 00:17:30,827 --> 00:17:34,587 Speaker 3: the game. It will collide with something else. So these 321 00:17:34,627 --> 00:17:36,867 Speaker 3: are these are big questions and big issues for us 322 00:17:36,907 --> 00:17:39,627 Speaker 3: if we want to maximize the opportunity with our sport. 323 00:17:40,507 --> 00:17:42,107 Speaker 2: Do you feel optimistic or not? 324 00:17:43,587 --> 00:17:46,507 Speaker 3: And thank you for asking me that, because I often 325 00:17:46,547 --> 00:17:48,627 Speaker 3: feel when I'm talking about these issues that I sound 326 00:17:48,667 --> 00:17:53,707 Speaker 3: really negative. I don't mean to. Cricket is in a 327 00:17:53,787 --> 00:17:59,627 Speaker 3: wonderful space. Cricket internationally is exploding in terms of interest, fans, revenue. 328 00:18:00,107 --> 00:18:03,627 Speaker 3: The game is growing like no tomorrow. With the advent 329 00:18:03,707 --> 00:18:05,907 Speaker 3: of the of T twenty as a format, so we 330 00:18:05,947 --> 00:18:09,947 Speaker 3: should be celebrating that. So I am optimistic. I just 331 00:18:09,987 --> 00:18:13,707 Speaker 3: think there's got to be some crunchy discussions and negotiations 332 00:18:13,747 --> 00:18:15,627 Speaker 3: over the next three to five years. 333 00:18:16,747 --> 00:18:18,667 Speaker 2: Great to chat, Heath. I feel like we could yearn 334 00:18:18,707 --> 00:18:20,187 Speaker 2: for a lot longer, but I think we might leave 335 00:18:20,187 --> 00:18:22,107 Speaker 2: it there and give our listeners a go. But always 336 00:18:22,107 --> 00:18:26,307 Speaker 2: appreciate your your availability and your and you You're straight 337 00:18:26,387 --> 00:18:27,187 Speaker 2: up and down this mate. 338 00:18:27,347 --> 00:18:30,227 Speaker 3: Good to chat, All good, Jason, all the best, mate, Thank. 339 00:18:30,107 --> 00:18:31,787 Speaker 2: You, all the best to you too, Thanks mate. Heith 340 00:18:31,827 --> 00:18:34,547 Speaker 2: millsaire CEO of the New Zealand Cricket Plazers Association. 341 00:18:35,187 --> 00:18:38,347 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 342 00:18:38,467 --> 00:18:41,747 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 343 00:18:41,787 --> 00:18:43,387 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio