1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,587 Speaker 2: Good crowding at least in christ yet for today weather 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:18,227 Speaker 2: looks pretty good, but you suspect that they won't be 5 00:00:18,467 --> 00:00:21,627 Speaker 2: entertained by the prospect of a black Caps defeat in 6 00:00:21,707 --> 00:00:26,227 Speaker 2: this opening Test at Hagley Oval. Tenth after midday, let's 7 00:00:26,267 --> 00:00:28,827 Speaker 2: take you to the boss of New Zealand Cricket. Scott 8 00:00:28,827 --> 00:00:32,027 Speaker 2: Weenick joins the program. Scott, good afternoon, Thanks for your time. 9 00:00:33,027 --> 00:00:34,547 Speaker 3: Good afternoon, thanks having me. 10 00:00:35,147 --> 00:00:38,187 Speaker 2: Well, look, the Test at the moment, let's say, coming 11 00:00:38,187 --> 00:00:41,227 Speaker 2: to a probable conclusion in the coming hours, hasn't really 12 00:00:41,267 --> 00:00:43,267 Speaker 2: been the black Caps Test to this point, has it? 13 00:00:45,227 --> 00:00:48,787 Speaker 3: No, not a deal. I think we're taking a few 14 00:00:48,867 --> 00:00:51,187 Speaker 3: more catch and you know we were to be well 15 00:00:51,227 --> 00:00:55,427 Speaker 3: on top. But I guess that's that's cricket, unfortunately it is. 16 00:00:55,507 --> 00:00:59,307 Speaker 2: Indeed, look, I suppose that's the consistency that you look 17 00:00:59,347 --> 00:01:01,547 Speaker 2: for an international cricket just come off the back of 18 00:01:01,587 --> 00:01:04,987 Speaker 2: a three mil series win in India and then perhaps 19 00:01:05,267 --> 00:01:07,867 Speaker 2: the highs and lows of national sport come back to 20 00:01:07,987 --> 00:01:09,027 Speaker 2: earth with a bit of a thud. 21 00:01:10,227 --> 00:01:13,867 Speaker 3: Yeah exactly. No, you know we're obviously, you know, New 22 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 3: Zealand cricket is an incredible spot at the moment and 23 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:19,267 Speaker 3: it's been an incredible period. But as I keep saying 24 00:01:19,267 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 3: to people, sport is very sickle. Let's enjoy it while 25 00:01:23,067 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 3: we can because it can all change pretty quickly. But again, 26 00:01:28,347 --> 00:01:32,307 Speaker 3: you know, you know, a couple of bad days and 27 00:01:32,347 --> 00:01:35,547 Speaker 3: some drop catches doesn't really change the fact that, you know, 28 00:01:35,587 --> 00:01:38,507 Speaker 3: the Black Cats and white fans are going pretty well 29 00:01:38,547 --> 00:01:38,987 Speaker 3: at the moment. 30 00:01:39,387 --> 00:01:43,667 Speaker 2: Indeed, look, not much test cricket coming up on the horizon. 31 00:01:43,787 --> 00:01:45,827 Speaker 2: Scott is there in the coming twelve months. I think 32 00:01:45,867 --> 00:01:49,147 Speaker 2: two tests are wayne Zimbabwe two against the West Indies, 33 00:01:49,227 --> 00:01:51,827 Speaker 2: So the next three weeks you better savior. If you're 34 00:01:51,827 --> 00:01:54,547 Speaker 2: a test cricket fan. What's the rationale behind that? I 35 00:01:54,547 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 2: know the future Tours program is something that the ICC 36 00:01:57,547 --> 00:02:00,987 Speaker 2: obviously dictates, but for test cricket fans this is it 37 00:02:01,027 --> 00:02:01,507 Speaker 2: for a while. 38 00:02:03,187 --> 00:02:06,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is those. I mean the program put in 39 00:02:06,827 --> 00:02:11,147 Speaker 3: place years in a bunt. We are currently working on 40 00:02:11,507 --> 00:02:14,787 Speaker 3: adding some test cricket to the calendar for next year. 41 00:02:15,827 --> 00:02:20,507 Speaker 3: We've certainly got at least one test extra test confirmed 42 00:02:20,547 --> 00:02:24,907 Speaker 3: which will be announcing shortly, and we're looking and we 43 00:02:25,027 --> 00:02:28,467 Speaker 3: are looking at another couple of options as well, So 44 00:02:28,507 --> 00:02:31,947 Speaker 3: we are doing our best to try and you know, 45 00:02:31,987 --> 00:02:35,707 Speaker 3: bring some more test cricket to New Zealand cricket fans 46 00:02:35,707 --> 00:02:40,187 Speaker 3: over the next felve months if we can. Unfortunately, that's 47 00:02:40,307 --> 00:02:43,947 Speaker 3: just the reality that you know, everyone has very very 48 00:02:44,027 --> 00:02:47,467 Speaker 3: tight schedules and it's just about trying to find space. 49 00:02:48,307 --> 00:02:50,627 Speaker 2: Is that something you've done proactively, Scott, you'd have looked 50 00:02:50,627 --> 00:02:52,427 Speaker 2: at the calendar and gone krikey, we don't have much 51 00:02:52,467 --> 00:02:54,587 Speaker 2: test cricket. We need to go out and to the market, 52 00:02:54,627 --> 00:02:56,987 Speaker 2: to these other test nations and try and put some together. 53 00:02:58,587 --> 00:03:01,667 Speaker 3: Yes, it is yep, and normally over Gin and Tonicque 54 00:03:01,707 --> 00:03:05,387 Speaker 3: at the ICC we're in, they're trying to work out, 55 00:03:05,467 --> 00:03:07,867 Speaker 3: you know, where we can and find some more test cricket. 56 00:03:07,907 --> 00:03:10,467 Speaker 3: So yes, we are proactively in terms of the one 57 00:03:10,507 --> 00:03:12,907 Speaker 3: that we're that we're going to announce shortly, but we've 58 00:03:12,947 --> 00:03:15,787 Speaker 3: also been approached by another country that is keen for 59 00:03:15,907 --> 00:03:18,707 Speaker 3: us to play some more test cricket. We just need 60 00:03:18,747 --> 00:03:21,667 Speaker 3: to work out how we fit it into our schedule. 61 00:03:21,747 --> 00:03:24,187 Speaker 3: So it's not just us that are trying to find 62 00:03:24,267 --> 00:03:28,387 Speaker 3: more more you know, more test cricket. I think everyone 63 00:03:28,427 --> 00:03:30,907 Speaker 3: around the globe would ideally like to play more. It's 64 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:34,187 Speaker 3: just really it's a very very congested schedule, particularly with 65 00:03:34,347 --> 00:03:36,787 Speaker 3: all the domestic T twenty legs. 66 00:03:37,467 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 2: Indeed, in finding that window must be to play these 67 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:41,907 Speaker 2: extra games must be incredibly tough. But you look at 68 00:03:41,947 --> 00:03:43,627 Speaker 2: these crowds in christ Church and are the base and 69 00:03:43,667 --> 00:03:46,347 Speaker 2: reserves selling well as well for the second Test? You 70 00:03:46,467 --> 00:03:48,987 Speaker 2: must go there is still life and Test cricket despite 71 00:03:48,987 --> 00:03:50,307 Speaker 2: some of the doomsayers out there. 72 00:03:51,827 --> 00:03:56,707 Speaker 3: Absolutely yep. You know New Zealand cricket fans love Test cricket, 73 00:03:56,987 --> 00:04:00,947 Speaker 3: our players love Test cricket. It's really about trying to find, 74 00:04:01,547 --> 00:04:03,587 Speaker 3: you know, where we can fit them into the schedule. 75 00:04:04,707 --> 00:04:06,907 Speaker 3: You know, otherwise we would play a lot more. 76 00:04:08,227 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 2: How do you capitalize on that tour success in Indie? 77 00:04:11,267 --> 00:04:13,787 Speaker 2: Obviously straight back into another series, but do you take 78 00:04:13,827 --> 00:04:15,867 Speaker 2: a step back and go that was three nil in 79 00:04:15,867 --> 00:04:18,467 Speaker 2: India very rarely happens, hasn't happened for the black Caps 80 00:04:18,467 --> 00:04:21,987 Speaker 2: in history? How do we capitalize it? As part of that, 81 00:04:22,067 --> 00:04:25,147 Speaker 2: I suppose playing those more Test cricket games and other 82 00:04:25,227 --> 00:04:26,747 Speaker 2: nations wanting to play you more often. 83 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:30,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's part of it is, you know, taking the 84 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:33,787 Speaker 3: opportunity while you know, the New Zealand Cricket brand and 85 00:04:33,867 --> 00:04:37,307 Speaker 3: the Black Caps brand is running hot, is to try 86 00:04:37,347 --> 00:04:40,907 Speaker 3: and lock in more games in terms of sort of 87 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:44,827 Speaker 3: fan engagement, you know, both across the Black Caps and 88 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:47,987 Speaker 3: the White fans. You know, because are performing so well, 89 00:04:48,067 --> 00:04:51,707 Speaker 3: there's been a noticeable lift in interest across New Zealand 90 00:04:52,707 --> 00:04:55,547 Speaker 3: and actually not just across New Zealand, but also globally. 91 00:04:56,547 --> 00:04:59,667 Speaker 3: You know, Indian cricket fans absolutely love New Zealand cricket, 92 00:05:00,827 --> 00:05:04,427 Speaker 3: even even though we beat them recently, and so that's 93 00:05:04,467 --> 00:05:07,467 Speaker 3: an area where we're really trying to push Harden too 94 00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:09,427 Speaker 3: as well, you know, and doing there the rest of 95 00:05:09,467 --> 00:05:14,027 Speaker 3: the globe to really generate fan engagement and fan interest 96 00:05:14,107 --> 00:05:15,547 Speaker 3: in the New Zealand cricket brand. 97 00:05:16,147 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 2: Gary Steed's contracted through to the middle of next year. 98 00:05:18,547 --> 00:05:21,947 Speaker 2: If you had any preliminary discussions with Gary about future plans, 99 00:05:23,747 --> 00:05:24,307 Speaker 2: we just. 100 00:05:24,227 --> 00:05:27,627 Speaker 3: Wanted to get through this summer. But we'll certainly sit 101 00:05:27,667 --> 00:05:30,547 Speaker 3: down with Gary at the appropriate time and then talk 102 00:05:30,587 --> 00:05:34,307 Speaker 3: about what his plans are. Yes, his contract comes to 103 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:36,427 Speaker 3: an end sort of mid next year, which sort of 104 00:05:36,427 --> 00:05:41,227 Speaker 3: coincides with the end of that World Test Championship cycle. 105 00:05:41,347 --> 00:05:44,747 Speaker 3: So you know, we'll go through a process, but a 106 00:05:44,747 --> 00:05:47,267 Speaker 3: lot of that will depend on what Gary wants to do. 107 00:05:48,267 --> 00:05:50,507 Speaker 2: You've been in the job for about a year now, Scott. 108 00:05:50,507 --> 00:05:52,707 Speaker 2: What are the biggest challenges you think that are facing 109 00:05:52,827 --> 00:05:57,907 Speaker 2: will cricket and New Zealand cricket At the moment, the. 110 00:05:57,867 --> 00:06:04,827 Speaker 3: Biggest challenge continues to be both the congested and you'll 111 00:06:05,107 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 3: window cricket and you know, and that comes about through 112 00:06:10,307 --> 00:06:13,627 Speaker 3: more and more domestic T twenty leagues popping up, so 113 00:06:13,667 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 3: there's a huge demand on our players and there's just 114 00:06:18,067 --> 00:06:22,267 Speaker 3: just a you know, more and more challenging schedule to 115 00:06:22,307 --> 00:06:24,987 Speaker 3: try and fit games, and so they are probably the 116 00:06:25,107 --> 00:06:28,747 Speaker 3: two biggest challenges. You know, we we want our players 117 00:06:28,787 --> 00:06:33,907 Speaker 3: to make as much money and what is a short career, 118 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:37,747 Speaker 3: but also ensure that they played for New Zealand for 119 00:06:37,827 --> 00:06:40,067 Speaker 3: as long and as often as possible. So that's a 120 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:44,107 Speaker 3: really really difficult balancing act that we that we have, 121 00:06:44,307 --> 00:06:46,227 Speaker 3: but you know, there is a lot of good will 122 00:06:46,267 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 3: and we work very very closely with the players themselves 123 00:06:49,147 --> 00:06:53,467 Speaker 3: around that. So that's probably the biggest challenge. Cricket itself 124 00:06:53,747 --> 00:06:58,307 Speaker 3: is absolutely booming globally. You know, it's the second largest 125 00:06:58,307 --> 00:07:02,027 Speaker 3: sport and I think the fastest growing sports still. We've 126 00:07:02,067 --> 00:07:03,707 Speaker 3: just got to really try and take advante into that 127 00:07:05,027 --> 00:07:07,467 Speaker 3: while trying to sort of navigate all these nig league 128 00:07:07,587 --> 00:07:10,667 Speaker 3: issues around you know, I congested schedule. 129 00:07:11,147 --> 00:07:13,507 Speaker 2: Did you feel like yourself and the ic C making 130 00:07:13,547 --> 00:07:15,907 Speaker 2: progress on that front in terms of you know, the 131 00:07:15,947 --> 00:07:19,107 Speaker 2: franchise leagues because it feels like a but like wacka mole, 132 00:07:19,147 --> 00:07:21,147 Speaker 2: if you know, they just new ones keep popping up 133 00:07:21,147 --> 00:07:23,227 Speaker 2: week to week around around the globe. 134 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:26,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'd be. One of the biggest challenges is, you know, 135 00:07:26,787 --> 00:07:30,467 Speaker 3: the ic C is as a member organization, so it 136 00:07:30,707 --> 00:07:34,227 Speaker 3: you know, unfortunately it doesn't have the influence that it 137 00:07:34,267 --> 00:07:39,227 Speaker 3: should or could have in terms of actually managing you know, 138 00:07:39,307 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 3: the cricketing window. So that's a real challenge. I think 139 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:46,667 Speaker 3: the ic C is doing its best, you know, and 140 00:07:46,667 --> 00:07:49,267 Speaker 3: perhaps with a with and you know, look, Greg Barklay 141 00:07:49,267 --> 00:07:51,107 Speaker 3: does an amazing job as chair, but perhaps with the 142 00:07:51,147 --> 00:07:52,987 Speaker 3: new chair from b c C I who might be 143 00:07:53,027 --> 00:07:56,467 Speaker 3: able to influence things a little more, they might be 144 00:07:56,507 --> 00:07:59,107 Speaker 3: able to gain a little bit more control and have 145 00:07:59,187 --> 00:08:04,067 Speaker 3: a little bit more influence around you know, the the 146 00:08:04,147 --> 00:08:08,387 Speaker 3: cricket schedule. But it is the main challenge is the 147 00:08:08,587 --> 00:08:12,027 Speaker 3: ICC is a membernation and so it can't actually dictate 148 00:08:12,107 --> 00:08:14,627 Speaker 3: things to countries. 149 00:08:14,427 --> 00:08:17,067 Speaker 2: Scott when with us the boss of New Zealand Cricket, 150 00:08:17,387 --> 00:08:21,947 Speaker 2: the contracting model obviously is very different to perhaps that 151 00:08:22,027 --> 00:08:24,307 Speaker 2: the life that came in. So with the leagues that 152 00:08:24,347 --> 00:08:28,067 Speaker 2: we're discussing in New Zealand Cricket reconsidering or looking at 153 00:08:28,307 --> 00:08:31,587 Speaker 2: maybe the contracting model for players. Given you know, players 154 00:08:31,587 --> 00:08:34,467 Speaker 2: have opted out of those central contracts and taken casual 155 00:08:34,467 --> 00:08:36,467 Speaker 2: ones up. Is there a change that needs to be 156 00:08:36,507 --> 00:08:36,907 Speaker 2: made there? 157 00:08:38,627 --> 00:08:42,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean the current contracting model is for purpose 158 00:08:42,867 --> 00:08:47,267 Speaker 3: for now. You know, we provide a lot of flexibility 159 00:08:47,347 --> 00:08:50,387 Speaker 3: around that to try and ensure that our players play 160 00:08:50,427 --> 00:08:52,907 Speaker 3: for us for as long and as often as possible, 161 00:08:52,947 --> 00:08:57,467 Speaker 3: well so taking advantage of these domestic T twenty league opportunities. 162 00:08:58,147 --> 00:09:01,947 Speaker 3: But you know, the cricketing world is changing rapidly and 163 00:09:01,987 --> 00:09:05,867 Speaker 3: we need to just continue to be very pragmatic and 164 00:09:05,947 --> 00:09:09,507 Speaker 3: very flexible and so we all just continue to work 165 00:09:09,667 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 3: with our players to work out what is the best 166 00:09:13,507 --> 00:09:16,587 Speaker 3: model for New Zealand Cricket and for our players going forward. 167 00:09:17,507 --> 00:09:19,627 Speaker 3: You know, if we need to change and that's what 168 00:09:19,667 --> 00:09:21,587 Speaker 3: the players want, then you know, we'll sit down and 169 00:09:21,587 --> 00:09:23,547 Speaker 3: talk to them about that and work out you know 170 00:09:23,547 --> 00:09:26,667 Speaker 3: what that means. There is a lot to it. So 171 00:09:28,027 --> 00:09:29,947 Speaker 3: if there is to be a change, then you know 172 00:09:29,947 --> 00:09:31,307 Speaker 3: that there have to be a lot of things going 173 00:09:31,387 --> 00:09:35,827 Speaker 3: into it. But we're certainly, you know, always prepared to 174 00:09:35,907 --> 00:09:38,707 Speaker 3: have those discussions and try to continue to look at 175 00:09:39,187 --> 00:09:41,827 Speaker 3: what is best for our players as well as what's 176 00:09:41,827 --> 00:09:42,747 Speaker 3: the best in m Zealand. 177 00:09:42,547 --> 00:09:45,947 Speaker 2: Cricket and Scott was intrigued by this announcement a day 178 00:09:46,027 --> 00:09:48,827 Speaker 2: or so ago. Hall of Fame New Zealand Crickets launching 179 00:09:49,707 --> 00:09:53,227 Speaker 2: at the Base and Reserve Test eleven to be inaugurated 180 00:09:53,347 --> 00:09:57,547 Speaker 2: posts to World War Two players, men and women. Look, 181 00:09:57,667 --> 00:10:00,267 Speaker 2: this is an exciting concept. How did it come about? 182 00:10:01,667 --> 00:10:05,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, again, we you know, we're always thinking about bays 183 00:10:05,587 --> 00:10:10,707 Speaker 3: that we can engage our fans, you know, and and 184 00:10:11,027 --> 00:10:15,667 Speaker 3: bring about new fans while also you know, reflecting on 185 00:10:15,947 --> 00:10:20,907 Speaker 3: our history and ensuring that our past players are properly 186 00:10:20,947 --> 00:10:24,467 Speaker 3: honored and their stories are told. The Hall of Fame 187 00:10:24,547 --> 00:10:27,427 Speaker 3: concept initially came up to an idea from the Cricket 188 00:10:27,467 --> 00:10:31,907 Speaker 3: Planers Association. So it's actually it's a it's a group, 189 00:10:31,987 --> 00:10:36,227 Speaker 3: it's a tripathide arrangement between ourselves with Cricket Players Association 190 00:10:36,587 --> 00:10:39,867 Speaker 3: and the Cricket Museum. And really, you know, we see 191 00:10:39,867 --> 00:10:43,707 Speaker 3: it as an idea, an opportunity to honor those who 192 00:10:44,547 --> 00:10:47,107 Speaker 3: performed so well for New Zealand while also you know, 193 00:10:47,187 --> 00:10:51,547 Speaker 3: trying to engage a new set of fans around you know, 194 00:10:51,627 --> 00:10:52,587 Speaker 3: our history. 195 00:10:53,267 --> 00:10:55,667 Speaker 2: Well, it's fantastic concept. Look forward to seeing the eleven 196 00:10:55,707 --> 00:10:59,707 Speaker 2: names announced in the first induction later on this week. Scott, 197 00:10:59,747 --> 00:11:01,787 Speaker 2: thank you very much for your time canvassing all those issues. 198 00:11:01,827 --> 00:11:05,267 Speaker 3: Appreciate it, my pleasure. Thank you for having me on. 199 00:11:05,467 --> 00:11:08,787 Speaker 2: That is Scott winning the Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket. 200 00:11:08,787 --> 00:11:12,147 Speaker 2: Across the range of issues, I liked the concept of 201 00:11:12,147 --> 00:11:15,987 Speaker 2: more test cricket in twenty twenty four or five. I 202 00:11:16,027 --> 00:11:18,427 Speaker 2: looked at the calendar this morning the future tours program. 203 00:11:18,507 --> 00:11:23,227 Speaker 2: Two against Zimbabwe midyear, two against the West Indies on 204 00:11:23,307 --> 00:11:26,747 Speaker 2: home at the end of the year. That's it for 205 00:11:26,787 --> 00:11:29,387 Speaker 2: the summer, by the way, next summer just two tests 206 00:11:29,467 --> 00:11:33,067 Speaker 2: on home soil. But as you heard Scott revealed, there 207 00:11:33,107 --> 00:11:35,227 Speaker 2: a few more tests or maybe one or two more 208 00:11:35,267 --> 00:11:38,547 Speaker 2: tests at least, something more potentially on the calendar for 209 00:11:39,267 --> 00:11:39,947 Speaker 2: next season. 210 00:11:40,507 --> 00:11:43,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 211 00:11:43,787 --> 00:11:47,187 Speaker 1: to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the 212 00:11:47,227 --> 00:11:48,667 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio