WELLINGTON: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has defended its decision to launch a new domestic T20 competition, saying the move was made after considering several expert reports and extensive feedback from key stakeholders.
The governing body came under criticism after announcing in March that the new NZ20 competition would replace the existing Super Smash provincial tournament.
Cricket great Richard Hadlee and former NZC president Lesley Murdoch had questioned the transparency of the decision-making process and criticised NZC for not making a Deloitte report available to stakeholders.
NZC chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged that the governing body could have explained the decision more clearly when announcing plans for NZ20.
She said the Deloitte report was only one of four expert assessments considered by the board before reaching its decision. Other reports examined community cricket, high-performance pathways and fan engagement.
According to Puketapu-Lyndon, the Deloitte report favoured further exploration of an opportunity to join Australia’s Big Bash League, citing potential financial benefits and governance considerations.
However, she said the report also made clear that the final decision rested with the NZC board and encouraged the governing body to continue examining both options.
NZC also considered feedback from the country’s six Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
Both groups supported the proposed NZ20 competition rather than pursuing the option of establishing a New Zealand team in the established Australian Big Bash League.
After considering the expert reports, stakeholder feedback and its own due diligence, the NZC board unanimously voted 7-0 in favour of NZ20 as the preferred option.
The cricket board said it would not release the complete Deloitte report, citing confidentiality obligations.
Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged that the decision represented a major change for domestic cricket and that not everyone had supported the proposal.
“This is the biggest change to domestic cricket in a generation,” she said, while describing NZ20 as an ambitious project capable of transforming cricket in New Zealand.
She said the competition had the potential to strengthen the sport’s future at all levels, from grassroots cricket to the elite game.
The proposed NZ20 competition was initially scheduled to begin with six teams during the upcoming summer season. However, NZC has postponed its launch until the 2027-28 home season to allow additional time for preparations.
The delay is expected to give NZC and organisers more time to develop the competition’s structure and ensure the new tournament is ready for its planned launch.
The decision to establish NZ20 comes as cricket boards around the world continue to expand domestic T20 competitions to attract audiences, players and commercial investment.
NZC believes the new competition can provide a sustainable pathway for domestic players while strengthening fan engagement and the overall commercial prospects of New Zealand cricket.
The board has maintained that its decision was based on a broad assessment of the future of domestic cricket rather than the findings of a single report.
NZC’s latest statement is aimed at addressing concerns surrounding the decision-making process and explaining why the board ultimately chose to develop its own six-team T20 competition instead of seeking participation in Australia’s Big Bash League.
