The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Board has today explained in more detail how and why it chose NZ20 as the preferred option for domestic T20 cricket.
NZC Board Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said the Board should have done better at explaining the decision when it was originally made in March.
"We're confident we made the right call pursuing NZ20, but we acknowledge we should have provided more information about the process to get there and the rationale for where we finally landed,” she said.
“People who love this game deserved to know how we made the decision - we've heard that, and want to make it right.”
Process
The Board's decision drew on four reports produced by industry experts. New Zealand-based strategic advisors In Your Corner assessed the impact on the Community game and High Performance, while internationally renowned consultants Honoco presented fan insights analysis, alongside a report by Deloitte.
The reports had input from 30 to 40 community leaders, along with current and former players, coaches and administrators. The Board and NZC management also attended workshops with Deloitte and In Your Corner to discuss their research, ask questions, and ensure the information was tested and fully understood.
Deloitte
Puketapu-Lyndon confirmed the Deloitte report was just one part of informing the decision, and in order to protect the confidentiality of the information provided by individuals, entities and stakeholders - it was never intended to be made public.
“Confidentiality is standard practice for Deloitte when they produce reports of this nature,” she said.
“While Deloitte has not identified any record of a commitment to provide participants with a copy of the report, it acknowledges that Sir Richard Hadlee and Lesley Murdoch came away from the process expecting to receive one and has apologised for any lack of clarity and if anything said during the consultation process created that expectation.”
Puketapu-Lyndon said although the Board were not able to release the entire report due to the confidentiality – she could confirm the key findings.
“At the time of Deloitte's report earlier this year, its analysis favoured exploring the Big Bash opportunity further, for reasons including financial upside and governance, but it also said weighing the options was for the Board and encouraged us to continue exploring both options.”
Decision
Puketapu-Lyndon said a key factor in the decision was the impact on grassroots cricket.
“Our constitution says the amateur game is the reason NZC exists, and NZ20 was the superior option in that respect with the development of a Capital Fund from the sale of teams which would help underpin the community game for years to come.
“The fact that NZ20 also offered a competition with six teams spread across the country, was another significant upside in terms of providing pathways for players, as well as exposure to fans and the ability to grow the game in New Zealand. There was also the commitment of a significant ownership stake, at zero cost, for NZC in the venture.
“Finally, we listened and took into account the views of our cricket network who are our most important stakeholders. These are the people our game relies on to function and prosper, and the message was clear, from our Major Associations (MAs) and our professional players – they wanted us to pursue NZ20.”
Puketapu-Lyndon added that alongside the research and insights, the Board ultimately asked themselves to consider how cricket was changing globally, and which option would preserve NZC’s ability to govern the game, as well as strengthen it and retain control of its own destiny.
“When all of that was considered, alongside the Board’s own due diligence, the Board voted unanimously, 7-0, to support NZ20 as the preferred option.”
NZC
Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged it had been a challenging time for NZC.
“It’s been a time of change and uncertainty, and we put our hand up in saying we could have handled things better,” she said.
“NZC is determined to improve our communication and engagement with our staff, our network, and the public, so people are informed and confident about how decisions are made.
“I do want to acknowledge and thank the NZC staff for their commitment and perseverance through a genuinely demanding period of change and transition.
“This is the biggest change to domestic cricket in a generation, and we know not everyone agrees with it. One thing I’m sure of is the relationship between NZC, the MAs and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) is strong, and we are all committed to working collaboratively together for the betterment of cricket in Aotearoa.”
NZ20
Puketapu-Lyndon said NZC was satisfied with the progress being made by NZ20 and the parties were working through the terms of a licensing agreement ahead of the planned launch in the 2027-28 season.
“NZ20 is genuinely aspirational. It has the potential to revolutionise the game of cricket in this country and ensure a sustainable future from the grassroots to the elite.
“NZ20 is keeping us up to date as they work to secure the right investment partner to establish a competition that can succeed over the long term.
“The Board, NZC, and the cricket network are supportive and aligned in helping to bring this to life, and we are all looking forward to getting on with the work to do so, as well as delivering another outstanding summer of cricket for all levels of the game.”