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NZ should now come for a full fledge tour of Pakistan 4 Tests 3 ODis and t20 each tour should be in Sep Oct
 
Auckland Aces batsman George Worker has been called into the BLACKCAPS ODI squad as a replacement for Mark Chapman, who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Chapman, who was part of the T20 squad in Napier, flew from Napier to Auckland yesterday and after waking with symptoms this morning, subsequently tested positive for Covid via a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead confirmed the news on arrival in Mount Maunganui.

“It’s really unfortunate for Mark and we’re all really feeling for him at this time,” Stead said.

“He did the right thing in following the health guidelines and getting tested when he did.”

Stead said Worker, who was last with the BLACKCAPS in the UAE in 2018, would join the ODI squad in Mount Maunganui tomorrow morning ahead of training.

“It’s an exciting time for George to be back with the BLACKCAPS and he thoroughly deserves his call up following his strong form in the Ford Trophy.”

The remainder of the squad are unaffected and will continue following the Covid guidelines and completing their daily health-checks.

The BLACKCAPS open the KFC ODI series against Netherlands at Bay Oval on Tuesday.
 
New Zealand have added former England all-rounder Luke Wright and Zimbabwe Test batsman Dion Ebrahim to their coaching ranks to help ward off burnout among staff as the Black Caps slog through a long tour.

Wright, who played 50 one-dayers and 51 T20 matches for England, will join New Zealand's staff for tours of Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands in July-August.

Ebrahim, head coach of Otago in New Zealand's provincial competition, will join as a fourth coach in the setup for the three-Test tour of England starting at Lord's on June 2.

All New Zealand staff, led by head coach Gary Stead, will take breaks at different stages during the tour.

"We’ve obviously also got a T20 World Cup at the end of the year, so ensuring we have that energy and that freshness will be really important," Stead told reporters at a team camp in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.

"A key lesson from last year's COVID-enforced schedules was the importance of keeping not just our players fresh, but also our staff."

Regular bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will lead staff during the tour of Ireland, allowing Stead to take a break before rejoining the group for Scotland and the remaining series.

Stead said the floating coaching roster was "driven by everyone" in the setup, but would not put an additional burden on the players to deal with different tactics and styles.

"I hope that whether I’m there or not has little relevance in how we play the game at the end of the day," he said.

"We have an experienced group of players and experienced coaching staff now as well.

"The key thing is that we will still have a game-plan, a blueprint of the way we’re trying to play the game and they will be the key messages that we will keep giving the players."

Reuters
 
Central Stags spinner Ajaz Patel is set to return to the BLACKCAPS contracts list for the coming season, alongside Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Michael Bracewell who will receive an offer for the first time.

The pair would be the only new faces on the 20-strong national contract list, with the players having until May 19 to accept or decline their offers as per NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

Patel starred in Test cricket for the BLACKCAPS in 2021 and showcased his T20 skills in September when he finished as the top wicket-taker for either side in the five-game T20 series in Bangladesh.

The left-arm spinner helped clinch a rare Test series victory over England at Edgbaston in June, before his now famous exploits against India in the second Test in Mumbai in December, when he claimed all 10 first-innings wickets and finished with 14 for the match.

Michael Bracewell made his ODI debut against the Netherlands in March as part of a break-out season which featured his maiden international call-ups in all three formats and included being crowned the men’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year.

Retired great Ross Taylor will not appear on the contract list for the first time since 2006, while Jimmy Neesham has not been offered a New Zealand contract for the first time since returning to the list in 2019.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said competition for the 20 contracts continued to be fierce.

“Finalising the list seems to get tougher by the year,” Stead reflected.

“The busy international calendar means we’re calling on a wider base of talent these days and the likes of Michael Bracewell is testament to the depth of that talent.

“Michael’s been consistently performing on the domestic circuit for seasons now and we certainly see him as an international prospect in all three formats.

“It’s great to see Ajaz back on the list after narrowly missing out last season. His value as our leading red-ball spinner is clear and we’re excited to see the role he could play in the Test team going forward.

“I’d like to congratulate all 20 players who have received a national contract offer for the coming season and wish those heading away this winter all the best.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Ross Taylor and his immense contribution to the BLACKCAPS over a long and successful career.”

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by GM High Performance Bryan Stronach, considered likely playing values over the next twelve months, calculating in past performances, playing history, the upcoming playing schedule, and likelihood of players being involved during that period.

As part of the formal contracting procedure the NZCPA expressed satisfaction the contracting process, as outlined in the Master Agreement, was adhered to.

Players offered central contracts for 2022-23: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/patel...s-list-michael-bracewell-receives-first-offer
 
MenInG said:
Central Stags spinner Ajaz Patel is set to return to the BLACKCAPS contracts list for the coming season, alongside Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Michael Bracewell who will receive an offer for the first time.

The pair would be the only new faces on the 20-strong national contract list, with the players having until May 19 to accept or decline their offers as per NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

Patel starred in Test cricket for the BLACKCAPS in 2021 and showcased his T20 skills in September when he finished as the top wicket-taker for either side in the five-game T20 series in Bangladesh.

The left-arm spinner helped clinch a rare Test series victory over England at Edgbaston in June, before his now famous exploits against India in the second Test in Mumbai in December, when he claimed all 10 first-innings wickets and finished with 14 for the match.

Michael Bracewell made his ODI debut against the Netherlands in March as part of a break-out season which featured his maiden international call-ups in all three formats and included being crowned the men’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year.

Retired great Ross Taylor will not appear on the contract list for the first time since 2006, while Jimmy Neesham has not been offered a New Zealand contract for the first time since returning to the list in 2019.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said competition for the 20 contracts continued to be fierce.

“Finalising the list seems to get tougher by the year,” Stead reflected.

“The busy international calendar means we’re calling on a wider base of talent these days and the likes of Michael Bracewell is testament to the depth of that talent.

“Michael’s been consistently performing on the domestic circuit for seasons now and we certainly see him as an international prospect in all three formats.

“It’s great to see Ajaz back on the list after narrowly missing out last season. His value as our leading red-ball spinner is clear and we’re excited to see the role he could play in the Test team going forward.

“I’d like to congratulate all 20 players who have received a national contract offer for the coming season and wish those heading away this winter all the best.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Ross Taylor and his immense contribution to the BLACKCAPS over a long and successful career.”

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by GM High Performance Bryan Stronach, considered likely playing values over the next twelve months, calculating in past performances, playing history, the upcoming playing schedule, and likelihood of players being involved during that period.

As part of the formal contracting procedure the NZCPA expressed satisfaction the contracting process, as outlined in the Master Agreement, was adhered to.

Players offered central contracts for 2022-23: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/patel...s-list-michael-bracewell-receives-first-offer
Click to expand...
Their fast bowling is still in good hands with experience and also some relatively younger guys coming.

Problem is their batting. They really don't have many options. T20 cricket is the only format they have got batting options.

In tests Williamson not playing means half the batting order isn't playing and Latham/Conway is the other half.
Hopefully they quickly found 2/3 good all format batsmen.
 
New Zealand Cricket (NZC), on Tuesday, announced the jam-packed details of their upcoming home season for 2022-23. New Zealand will host India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England in the multi-format fixtures.

The Black Caps will start their summer in the T20I tri-series against Bangladesh and Pakistan, starting October 8 in Christchurch, before travelling to Australia for the T20 World Cup 2022. After the multi-team event, New Zealand will host India for the 6-match white-ball series that includes three T20Is and as many ODIs.

New Zealand will start the next year with a two-match Test series against England, including a day-night fixture in the series opener at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui starting February 16. Post the conclusion of the red-ball battle against the Poms, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka for a full-fledged tour of two Tests, 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs, starting March 09.

The home season also features White Ferns’ white ball series against Bangladesh. The Women’s side will host Bangladesh for three T20Is and as many ODIs, starting December 02 in Christchurch.

New Zealand 2022-23 home schedule:
T20 tri-series vs Bangladesh and Pakistan

Saturday, October 8, 7pm: T20 v Pakistan; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Sunday, October 9, 7pm: T20 v Bangladesh; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Tuesday, October 11, 3pm: T20 v Pakistan; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Wednesday, October 12, 3pm: T20 v Bangladesh; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Friday, October 14, 3pm: T20 tri-series final (if qualified); Hagley Oval, Christchurch

New Zealand vs India

Friday, November 18, 7.30pm: 1st T20; Sky Stadium, Wellington
Sunday, November 20, 7.30pm: 2nd T20; Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Tuesday, November 22, 7.30pm: 3rd T20; McLean Park, Napier
Friday, November 25, 2.30pm: 1st ODI; Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday, November 27, 2.30pm: 2nd ODI; Seddon Park, Hamilton
Wednesday, November 30, 2.30pm: 3rd ODI; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
New Zealand vs England

Thursday, February 16 – Monday, February 20, 2pm daily: 1st Test; Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Friday, February 24 – Tuesday, February 28, 11am daily: 2nd Test; Basin Reserve, Wellington
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

Thursday, March 9 – Monday, March 13, 11am daily: 1st Test; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Friday, March 17 – Tuesday, March 21, 11am daily: 2nd Test; Basin Reserve, Wellington
Saturday, March 25, 2pm: 1st ODI; Eden Park, Auckland
Tuesday, March 28, 2pm: 2nd ODI; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Friday, March 31, 2pm: 3rd ODI; Seddon Park, Hamilton
Sunday, April 2, 1pm: 1st T20; Eden Park, Auckland
Wednesday, April 5, 1pm: 2nd T20; University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Saturday, April 8, 1pm: 3rd T20; John Davies Oval, Queenstown

New Zealand Women vs Bangladesh Women

Friday, December 2, 7pm: 1st T20; Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Sunday, December 4, 2pm: 2nd T20; University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Wednesday, December 7, 2pm: 3rd T20; John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Sunday, December 11, 11am: 1st ODI; Basin Reserve, Wellington
Wednesday, December 14, 2pm: 2nd ODI; McLean Park, Napier
Sunday, December 18, 11am: 3rd ODI; Seddon Park, Hamilton
 
More England Tests against New Zealand? Lol

We seem to play them every season.
 
The New Deal: Cricket’s ground-breaking agreement

New Zealand’s professional women’s and men’s cricketers will receive the same pay for the same work on the same day, in a landmark agreement struck between NZC, the six Major Associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

The five-year deal, the first in which the men’s and women’s professional environments have been combined in one agreement, will see the WHITE FERNS and domestic women’s players receiving the same match fees as the men across all their formats and competitions.

NZC, the NZCPA and the six Major Associations worked towards a pay equity framework with the advice of gender pay expert, Yolanda Beattie.

The improved pay and conditions are part of an agreement calculated on the country’s men’s and women’s professional players receiving 29.75% of all NZC forecast revenue over five years ($349m), expected to amount to $104m.

Translated, this means the highest-ranked WHITE FERN would be able to receive a maximum of $163,246 a year (up from $83,432), the ninth-ranked, $148,946 ($66,266), and the 17th-ranked $142,346 ($62,833).

The top-ranked women’s domestic players in each Major Association would be able to receive a maximum of $19,146 (up from $3,423), the sixth-ranked $18,646 ($3,423), and the 12th-ranked $18,146 ($3,423).

The agreement sees the total number of women’s domestic contracts increase from 54 to 72, all positioned as a secondary work commitment with restricted obligations, to enable players to retain full-time employment and/or study commitments.

In addition, the number of domestic women’s annual contracts will be increased from nine to twelve per team, and an annual women’s North v South series for emerging international players will be introduced, complementing the existing development programmes.

New Zealand’s professional men’s players, whose match fees at T20I, ODI, Ford Trophy, and Dream11 Super Smash level will be the same as the women, will earn higher retainers, based on the increased number of matches played, formats contested, and time spent training and playing.

They have also received increases on current levels, the top-ranked BLACKCAP able to receive a maximum of $523,396 (up from $459,574), the tenth-ranked $444,196 ($377,981), and the 20th-ranked $367,196 ($305,453).

Additionally, the highest-ranked domestic men’s player in each Major Association would be in line to receive a maximum of $102,707 (up from $94,437), the eighth-ranked $87,307 ($77,357), and the 16th-ranked $75,207 ($64,406).

The total remuneration for men’s and women’s professional players includes retainers, match fees, Trust IP payments, retirement fund contributions and insurance.

They will retain their ability to play in overseas leagues, including the IPL.

Another significant enhancement of the new Master Agreement will be a bigger funding envelope for the NZCPA’s support services, allowing it to increase investment in (amongst other areas) its Personal Development Programme, particularly in terms of ensuring women’s domestic players are offered the same level of support as the domestic men, BLACKCAPS, and WHITE FERNS.

The agreement, to commence on August 1, also seeks to ensure professional women’s players receive equity in matters such as travel and accommodation, and the wider playing and training environment.

It retains the pregnancy and childcare provisions contained in the existing agreements.

NZC chief executive David White said the inaugural joint agreement represented important progress for professional cricket in New Zealand.

“I want to thank and congratulate the players and the Major Associations for their part in reaching such a significant agreement,” he said.

“This is the most important agreement in our sport, as it binds NZC, the Major Associations, and our players at the hip, and sets the foundation to fund, grow and develop cricket.

“It’s been a collaborative yet very robust negotiation.

“Importantly, it represents a significant step forward as we continue to grow our investment in women’s cricket.

Mr White said that, over the corresponding five-year period, NZC and the six Major Associations had also committed to additional investment in the community game.

NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills was delighted both the men’s and women’s professional players were now part of the same agreement.

“We’re thrilled to now have one agreement that includes our entire playing group,” he said.

“The new agreement ensures the players are well rewarded for what they bring to the game and, importantly, are supported through increased investment in personal development and well-being programmes.

“To complete such an important negotiation in the manner we have speaks volumes of the spirit of the partnership.”

Northern Districts chief executive Ben MacCormack, who was one of the Major Associations’ representatives, said the increased resourcing of the domestic game was a focus of the negotiations.

“We’re very pleased,” he said. “It was critical we took a further step towards supporting domestic players, and particularly our women cricketers.

“This is huge for the future of cricket in this country, and we’re just thrilled for both sets of domestic players in terms of the progress made.”

WHITE FERNS captain Sophie Devine said the agreement was a game-changer for women’s cricket.

“It’s great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men.

“It’s a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls.”

BLACKCAPS skipper Kane Williamson said it was an exciting time for the sport.

“It’s really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, and to support tomorrow’s players, both men and women, at all levels.

“This agreement goes a long way towards achieving that.”

==

Schedule of match fees (Women and Men):

Tests: $10,250

ODIs: $4,000

T20Is: $2,500

Plunket Shield: $1,750

Ford Trophy/Hallyburton Johnstone Shield: $800

Super Smash: $575
 
NEW ZEALAND'S FTP ANNOUNCED


New Zealand commence the next cycle of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme (2023-27) with a limited overs tour of England in September next year while their campaign in the third edition of the ICC World Test Championship kicks off in Bangladesh a month later.

The announcement of the FTPs, a result of the collective effort of Full Members with ICC’s support, ensures certainty of cricket fixtures with the confirmation of all bilateral series across the three formats. The exact dates of the series are for the Members to announce in due course.

New Zealand’s other away series in the 2023-25 WTC are in Sri Lanka and India in September- October 2024 while their home series are against Australia, England and South Africa. The champions of the inaugural WTC, play India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies at home in the 2025-27 WTC while touring Australia, England and Pakistan.

New Zealand’s other Test commitments include away fixtures against Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe during the 2023-27 cycle and four five-match T20I series – two against India and one each against England and the West Indies.

WTC Series: New Zealand play Australia, England and South Africa at home in the 2023-27 WTC and Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka at home. In the 2025-27 WTC, they play India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies at home, while they play Australia, England and Pakistan in away tours.

The announcement of the Men’s FTP comes a day after the first ever Women’s FTP was announced.

ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said: “I’d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish.

“The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.”

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White said: “Since its inception in 2001 the FTP has provided certainty of content and commercial sustainability for all our full members - and this latest instalment continues to do that,” he said.

“It brings a sense of structure to our bilateral cricket, context to the Test game in the form of the WTC, and more stability for everyone involved.

“I’m confident the first ever FTP for women’s cricket will bring the same benefits, providing a basis for realising the huge potential for growth in the women’s game.”

ICC
 
Pacer Blair Tickner and opening batter Finn Allen have been added to the New Zealand Cricket central contracts list for the 2022-23 season.

Tickner has played six ODIs and 11 T20Is for New Zealand, while Allen has represented the team in eight ODIs and 13 T20Is.

Tickner made his international debut in 2019, but has been a regular in the side only for the past one year. With 21 wickets in 17 internationals, New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes the fast bowler has potential to improve.

“Blair’s been in BLACKCAPS squads for all three formats over the past 12 months which is testament to his progress,” Stead said. "He’s a bowler who just keeps improving and we’ve been particularly impressed with his red-ball development, which saw him in the recent squads for the England and South Africa Tests.

"He knows the environment, understands his role, and bowls with good pace and aggression."

Allen, 23, is an up and coming batter with already over 600 runs in 21 internationals.

"Finn clearly has huge talent and potential,” Stead praised the batter. "He’s shown he’s up to the international level in his limited opportunities to date.

"In particular, his match-winning 96 against West Indies on a difficult wicket in Barbados showed his class and maturity."

Meanwhile, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who was left out of the initial contracts list, declined the offer of a fresh contract citing pre-arranged agreements with domestic T20 leagues around the world instead.

"I know the news of my decision to decline a central contract today will be seen as me choosing money over representing my country," Neesham wrote on his Instagram stories.

"I had planned to accept a contract offer in July, however since being left off the list I have committed to other leagues around the world. It was a difficult decision but I have decided to honour those commitments rather than go back on my word to re-sign with NZ Cricket.

"Playing for the [Blackcaps] has been the greatest honour of my career and I remain committed to taking the field with my countrymen for the foreseeable future, especially in pinnacle world events."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2791608
 
New Zealand have confirmed key batter Daryl Mitchell will this week travel to Australia with the rest of his team-mates ahead of the start of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Mitchell fractured a finger on his right hand when batting in the nets ahead of the Kiwis' tri-series at home against Pakistan and Bangladesh and his availability for the upcoming event in Australia had been in doubt.

Head coach Gary Stead admitted New Zealand's opening match at the T20 World Cup against Australia in Sydney on October 22 may come too soon for Mitchell, but they hope to have the 31-year-old back for the latter part of the tournament.

"The good news is we have made a decision about Daryl Mitchell and he will tour with us to the World Cup," Stead said on Monday.

"When we thought about the value Daryl brings to the team and the likely time frame...we are still hopeful he'll be right for the first game but probably more realistically the second game.

"There will still be four pool games to go and then hopefully semi-final and final after that.

"Daryl has showed the value to this team and we feel it was the right decision to make."

Mitchell’s form with the bat was a major reason why New Zealand made it all the way to the T20 World Cup final last year in Dubai, with the right-hander hitting an impressive 208 runs from seven innings at the tournament with a strike rate greater than 140.

His unbeaten 72 from just 47 deliveries in the semi-final against England in Abu Dhabi was the highlight as the knock catapulted New Zealand into the final against their trans-Tasman rival.

Following that re-match of the final to open their campaign against Australia in Sydney, New Zealand's second game of the tournament comes against Afghanistan in Melbourne on October 26.

The Kiwis are also monitoring a abdominal injury to key pacer Lockie Ferguson and are still hopeful the right-armer will be fit for the start of the tournament.

ICC
 
Former New Zealand cricketer and double international Lesley Murdoch has been elected President of New Zealand Cricket at the organisation’s 128th Annual General Meeting – the second woman to fill this role after out-going president, Debbie Hockley.

Mrs Murdoch, who played six Tests and 25 One Day Internationals for the New Zealand women’s team (captaining it in both formats) and represented her country in hockey at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, has been NZC’s vice president for the past year.

A prominent sports broadcaster and commentator, life member of NZC, and a member of the Hood Committee that modernised the old New Zealand Cricket Council in 1995, she is also a trustee on the New Zealand Community Trust.

Conducted by video conferencing, the AGM saw the election of new director Sarah Beaman, the re-election of director Kevin Malloy, and the retirement of board member, Jackie Lloyd.

Ms Beaman, who NZC commissioned to author the Women and Cricket Report in 2016, works with businesses and organisations both within and outside of the sport sector, helping build and improve organisational capability.

She is a Fellow with the NZ Business Excellence Foundation and an Accredited Recreation Professional (ARPro).

Previously a captain of the NZ U23 Women’s cricket team and coach of the Auckland Hearts, Ms Beaman was also a member of both the Junior Board and Women’s Board of NZC.

She was on the Recreation Aotearoa Board for six years, with two as Chair, having earlier worked in sport development at Harbour Sport and as Business Manager at UniSports Centre for Sport Performance.

NZC announced a surplus of $792,000 for the 2021-22 year against a budgeted loss of $3.6m, demonstrating its commercial resilience during a period of ongoing uncertainty, caused chiefly by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Five new life members were elected at the AGM:

Geoff Allott – Significant contributions in playing, administrative, and governance roles. Ten Tests and 31 ODIs. Leading wicket-taker with Shane Warne at 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup. Three terms as an NZC Director and a former member of NZC’s Senior Leadership Team. Former Director of Canterbury Cricket.
Catherine Campbell – Nine Tests and 85 ODIs (78 wickets). Three CWCs (1993, 1997 and winning CWC 2000 team). Captained NZ in two ODIs. Has worked for NZC since 1997 and has been NZC's long-serving representative on the ICC Women's Committee. WHITE FERNS Team Manager on several occasions.
Liz Dawson – Influential governance contribution as an NZC Board member over six years including leading the NZC’s Women in Cricket Governance project steering group. Legacy impact on account of her remarkable leadership as Chair of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 during challenging circumstances. MNZM.
Bruce Edgar – Thirty-nine Tests (1958 runs), 64 ODIs (1814 runs). Formed highly effective opening partnership with John Wright. BLACKCAPS selector 2014-16, and Wellington Firebirds’ coach.
Stuart Heal – Chair of NZC following the re-constitution of the Board in 2013. Led stable and effective NZC governance from 2013-2016. Oversaw successful co-hosting of CWC 2015. Former director and chair, and current President of Otago Cricket. NZOM for services to cricket and the community.


In addition, four Honorary Members of NZC were appointed, in recognition of outstanding service to cricket in New Zealand:

Nathan Astle – Eighty-one Tests (4702 runs, 11 hundreds), 223 ODIs (7090 runs, 16 hundreds). Starting as an all-rounder, Nathan developed into NZ's most successful opening batsman in ODIs. Remarkable 222 Test innings vs England (fastest double century in Test history). MNZM.

Penny Kinsella – Six Tests and 20 ODIs. NZ Women's selector 2005-06 to 2010-11. NZWCC council member 1988-1992. Board member NZ Cricket Museum. Coached Wellington age-group teams for three seasons. Active participant in past-player group development. Bert Sutcliffe medalist 2021.

Craig McMillan – Fifty-five Tests (3116 runs, six centuries), 197 ODIs (4,707 runs). Former BLACKCAPS Batting Coach. TV Commentator.
Haidee Tiffen – Two Tests, 117 ODIs (2919 runs, 49 wickets) and nine T20s. WHITE FERNS coach 2015-19. MNZM.

Martin Snedden was returned as chairman at the new board’s first meeting immediately following the AGM formalities.

The NZC Board is: Martin Snedden (chair), Sarah Beaman, Bill Birnie, Anna Campbell, Kevin Malloy, Diana Puketapu, Rebecca Rolls and Roger Twose.


President: Lesley Murdoch.
 
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New Zealand:

1975 WC Semi-Final: Lost ❌
1979 WC Semi-Final: Lost ❌
1992 WC Semi-Final: Lost❌
1996 WC Quarter-Final: Lost❌
1998 CT Quarter-Final: Lost❌
1999 WC Semi-Final: Lost❌
2000 CT Final: Won✅
2006 CT Semi-Final: Lost❌
2007 WC Semi-Final: Lost❌
2007 T20 WC Semi-Final: Lost❌
2009 CT Final: Lost ❌
2011 WC Semi-Final: Lost ❌
2015 WC Final: Lost ❌
2016 T20 WC Semi-Final: Lost ❌
2019 WC Final: Lost ❌
2021 WTC Final: Won ✅
2021 T20 WC Final: Lost ❌
2022 T20 WC Final: Lost ❌
 
Looked hopeless before the WT20, found some form during the tournament and then lost it against Pakistan lol.

Over performed in the end, hopefully can take something from it for the WC next year.
 
Always the first to qualify for the Semis and then losing eventually either in Semis or the Finals.
 
Aman said:
Looked hopeless before the WT20, found some form during the tournament and then lost it against Pakistan lol.

Over performed in the end, hopefully can take something from it for the WC next year.
Click to expand...

Would NZ players make decent money playing International Cricket if not for IPL ?
 
Chapman earns first NZC central contract

Auckland Aces batter Mark Chapman has been awarded his first New Zealand Cricket central contract, effectively filling the vacancy left by Martin Guptill’s departure in November.

Chapman has played 27 games for the BLACKCAPS (22 T20Is and five ODIs) since making his debut in 2018, and has been part of the past two ICC T20 World Cup campaigns.

Born in Hong Kong, he attended Kings College secondary school before going on to play 21 internationals for his country of birth, as well as 128 games for Auckland.

A powerful and inventive left-hander, Chapman offers an option with his left-arm orthodox spin bowling and is a highly-rated fielder.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said it was great to see Chapman’s hard work rewarded with a contract.

“We’re delighted to have Mark join the central contract list after being there or thereabouts for a while.

“He’s a fine player and we like the versatility and innovation he brings to his batting.

“He’s a guy with a lot of talent and we see him being a big part of future BLACKCAPS squads.”

Auckland Cricket will advise of Chapman’s replacement on their domestic contract list in due course.
 
The BLACKCAPS will play a three-match T20I series against the United Arab Emirates in August.

The squad will stop over in the UAE on the way to England for its white ball commitments, and play all three games under lights.

It will be only the second time New Zealand has played the UAE in a full international, following the 1996 World Cup ODI between the two sides at Faisalabad, in Pakistan.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said he was delighted the BLACKCAPS would be playing the ICC Associate Members.

“In terms of the global cricket family, it’s important we keep helping each other, and growing the game on an international scale.

“NZC has a close relationship with the Emirates Cricket Board and our players are very familiar with the environment.

“I know the BLACKCAPS will be looking forward to testing themselves against a competitive UAE team.”

Emirates Cricket Board General Secretary Mubashshir Usmani described New Zealand as one of the world’s top T20 sides.

“This series will be a massive opportunity for our players, to not only compete against a top team but to also to learn from some of the best players in the world.

“We are fully committed to the growth and development of cricket in the UAE and we are thankful to New Zealand Cricket for their support.”

The three matches will be played on August, 17, 19 and 20, with the venues yet to be confirmed.
 
Long-serving New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White will step down in August

Mr White, who was appointed to the CEO position in February 2012, notified the NZC Board of his decision this week, and advised staff and the wider New Zealand cricket network this morning.

He is just the fourth chief executive, after Chris Doig, Martin Snedden and Justin Vaughan, to lead NZC since the adoption of the Hood Report recommendations in 1995.

Mr White said it was the right time to pass the leadership baton on to a fresh set of hands.

“I feel the time is right for myself, my family, and NZC”, he said.

“NZC is in a secure financial position with a solid balance sheet and long-term commercial agreements in place.

“The BLACKCAPS are strong; women’s cricket is healthy, our high performance programme is producing excellence, and the community game is stable.

“It feels like the right time to step aside.”

Mr White paid tribute to the wider cricket family, saying what had been achieved over the past twelve seasons would not have been possible without the support and assistance from key stakeholders.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Major and District Associations, the staff and Boards of NZC, our players and, not least, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, for their willingness to share an aligned vision and strategy.

“Nothing happens in isolation, and I think everyone involved can be really proud of what’s been achieved.”

As for the future, Mr White said his immediate focus was to ensure NZC was well prepared for the upcoming summer.

NZC Board chair Martin Snedden said under Mr White, NZC had achieved a level of success hitherto not thought possible – either on or off the field.

This included the sustained success of the BLACKCAPS, the re-engagement with women and girls, and a strong relationship with the NZCPA, culminating in the creation of a landmark joint Master Agreement for professional men’s and women’s players.

“David’s legacy has been immense,” said Mr Snedden.

“Our high performance systems have never been stronger, our cricket network has a level of financial security and stability never before experienced, and the future for women and girls has never been brighter.

“We’ve seen the BLACKCAPS qualify for three World Cup finals and win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title, something no-one would’ve had on their bingo card in 2012, I’m sure.

“David’s commercial acumen has driven revenue, enabling increased investment across the organisation.

“His administrative skills have unearthed unique, bespoke solutions for our high-performance programmes and infrastructure – no better illustrated than in the all-weather, turf-based training facilities now located throughout the country.

“Under David, cricket in New Zealand has become far more inclusive, especially in regard to women and girls, our tangata whenua, and our Pasifika communities.”

Many of Mr White’s biggest achievements would not have been publicly visible, he said.

“When you think of how he navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, preserving the integrity of the community, domestic and international game, and his strong influence at ICC level, it makes you realise just how lucky we’ve been to have him at the helm.

“David leaves NZC with our sincere gratitude and best wishes.”
 
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Fast-bowler Adam Milne has been offered a NZC central contract for the first time in five years.

Milne’s elevation to the list comes off the back of his most productive international season, in which he appeared 16 times for the BLACKCAPS (11 T20Is and five ODIs) claiming 24 wickets at an average of 24, including a career-best 5-26 in the second T20I against Sri Lanka, the third best T20I figures by a New Zealander.

The 31-year-old, who made his international debut in 2010, was part of the BLACKCAPS’ past two ICC T20 World Cup campaigns.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said Milne’s offer of a central contract was well-deserved and reflected his strong and ongoing commitment to play international cricket for New Zealand.

“Adam’s worked exceptionally hard and has shown good resilience over the past few years to be in a position to earn this contract offer,” said Stead.

“He’s always been a top-class bowler and we were impressed by his consistent contributions in the recent home summer and tour of Pakistan.”

Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Blair Tickner have been retained after joining last year’s list mid-season, replacing Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme and Martin Guptill – all of whom requested and were granted releases.

Spinner Ajaz Patel, who featured in the list last year but played in just two Tests during the period, has not been offered a central contract.

Boult, while again declining a central contract, has committed to being available for the BLACKCAPS for part of the playing programme and, on that basis, has been offered a casual playing agreement.

Under the terms of the Master Agreement, the players have until June 12 to accept or decline the contract offers.

Players offered central contracts for 2023-24: Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
 
New Zealand will play the opening fixture of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 5 October in what is a rematch of last time’s final at Lord’s.

New Zealand, who are one of the most consistent performers in the tournament, having reached the finals of the last two editions apart from also making the semi-finals on six other occasions, play at seven venues through the league phase of the 10-team tournament.

The BLACKCAPS play India and Australia in the hill city of Dharamsala on 22 and 29 October, will take on South Africa in Pune on 1 November and feature in a day match against Pakistan in Bengaluru on 5 November.

New Zealand player Matt Henry said the team was looking forward to the event while remembering the epic final that was won by England in the Super Over.

Matt Henry: It’s really exciting to be on the cusp of another ODI World Cup. It’s always a great event and has so much history.

“We all grew up watching the ODI World Cup and I feel really fortunate to be preparing for a third tournament.

“It’s fair to say the 2019 World Cup in England will linger in the memory for a while. It was an amazing tournament with so many highlights and obviously a pretty dramatic finish.

“Heading to India for such a pinnacle event should be an experience like no other and one all teams will be looking forward to immensely."

Ahmedabad will host the tournament opener as well as the final. The nine other venues are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune. Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram will join Hyderabad in hosting the practice matches.

Eight teams have qualified for the 46-day event through the Cricket World Cup Super League while the final two spots will be taken by the finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier taking place in Zimbabwe.

The tournament retains the round-robin format of last time with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches. There are six day matches in the tournament, which will start at 10h30 local time. All other matches, including the knockouts, will be day-night fixtures starting at 14h00.

The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals to be played in Mumbai on 15 November and in Kolkata on 16 November. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

New Zealand’s schedule of World Cup matches (all day-night matches unless indicated otherwise):

5 October – vs England, Ahmedabad
9 October – vs Qualifier 1, Hyderabad
14 October – vs Bangladesh, Chennai (day match)
18 October – vs Afghanistan, Chennai
22 October – vs India, Dharamsala
28 October – vs Australia, Dharamsala (day match)
1 November – vs South Africa, Pune
4 November – vs Pakistan, Bengaluru (day match)
9 November – vs Qualifier 2, Bengaluru
 
Tickner withdrawn from UAE T20 Squad | Duffy called in

Blair Tickner has been withdrawn from the BLACKCAPS T20 Squad to face the United Arab Emirates this week to allow him to be at home with his wife and new born daughter.

Tickner was due to travel today to join the squad in Dubai following his daughter’s birth late last week; however, a decision has been made for him to stay at home in Hawke’s Bay with his family.

Otago Volts bowler Jacob Duffy will replace Tickner in the squad and travel to Dubai later today.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said it was important for Tickner to have this time at home with his young family.

“We’re a family environment and after speaking with Blair we fully support him being at home with Sarah and young Florence,” he said.

“The birth of a child is a special time and we’re glad to be able to support Blair in being at home.”

Stead said Duffy always added to any squad he was selected for.

“Jacob’s been part of many BLACKCAPS squads in the past and has always acquitted himself well at international level.

“He’s got good skills and experience and we look forward to welcoming him into our squad in Dubai.”

The first T20I against the UAE is 6pm Thursday (2am Friday NZT) at Dubai International Stadium.

Revised BLACKCAPS UAE T20 Squad

Tim Southee (c)

Adi Ashok*

Chad Bowes

Mark Chapman

Dane Cleaver

Jacob Duffy

Dean Foxcroft*

Kyle Jamieson

Ben Lister

Cole McConchie

Jimmy Neesham

Rachin Ravindra

Mitchell Santner

Tim Seifert

Will Young


*Potential debut
 
New Zealand suffer their first loss in 39 outings against non-Test-playing nations across formats
 
International coaches confirmed to join BLACKCAPS for away tours

Former England internationals Ian Bell and James Foster have been enlisted to the BLACKCAPS coaching ranks, while Saqlain Mushtaq and Stephen Fleming will also feature in the coming four months of continual touring.

Bell, a five-time Ashes winner who has been coaching since finishing his playing career in 2020, will join the BLACKCAPS as assistant coach for the upcoming T20I series against England starting later this month.

He will then step into Luke Ronchi’s position as batting coach for the four-game ODI series (Sept 8 - 15) and continue in the role for the three ODIs in Bangladesh (Sept 21 – 26), at which point, Ronchi will return and relieve head Coach Gary Stead who will have a short break ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Former Test keeper, Foster, will join the BLACKCAPS as assistant coach for the England ODI series and has also been confirmed in the role for the entire World Cup campaign in October and November.

Foster is currently an assistant coach at the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, has coached in T20 leagues all around the world and previously assisted the BLACKCAPS in the UAE in 2018.

Fleming’s second coaching stint assisting the BLACKCAPS will see him join for the ODI series against England after he has finished his duties with the Southern Brave men in The Hundred.

Former Pakistan coach, Mushtaq, will fill the role of spin coach for the Bangladesh Test series in December, following his stint with the team on the white-ball tour of Pakistan in April.

Gary Stead will miss the two Test series in Bangladesh and will instead return home to New Zealand to prepare for the start of the BLACKCAPS home summer on December 16.

Luke Ronchi will be the head coach on the Bangladesh Test tour which will likely be the first assignment for the team’s new bowling coach with Shane Jurgensen moving to the Cricket Wellington men’s job after the World Cup.

BLACKCAPS manager Simon Insley said the coaching additions were a targeted effort to balance the workload of the permanent staff, while also taking the opportunity to introduce fresh voices and ideas to the group.

“The well-being of our players and staff is of vital importance with the sheer amount of cricket being played these days,” he said.

“Following the T20 team’s departure to the UAE (Aug 12), the team will be on the road right through until December 16 when the Test team returns, ahead of a busy home summer.

“That period of time playing, working and simply being away from home is not sustainable and we’ve worked really hard this winter to ensure everyone from players to staff will receive adequate rest.”

Insley said the fact they’re able to use the coaching breaks to bring in the expertise of Bell, Foster, Fleming and Mushtaq is a real bonus.

“We’re delighted with the caliber of coaches we’ve been able to confirm to assist the BLACKCAPS on the various tours.

“New voices don’t just freshen things up for the players but they also bring new ideas and energy to the whole group which is especially important on away tours.

“Ian Bell has had a broad range of experiences as batting coach since retiring, working with Derbyshire, Hobart Hurricanes, England U19 and Lions as well as his current role with the Birmingham Phoenix.

“James Foster has worked with a number of our BLACKCAPS through his extensive coaching history which has featured stints as Head Coach in the ILT20, CPL the PSL along with his current role in with KKR in the IPL.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the new guys into our group and getting stuck into a busy and important period of cricket for the team.”

BLACKCAPS away tour coaching set-up 2023

UAE T20Is (Aug 12-21) - Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen,

England T20Is (Aug 30 - 5 Sept) - Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell

England ODIs (Sept 8-15) - Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell, James Foster/Stephen Fleming

Bangladesh ODIs (Sept 21-26) - Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell

Cricket World Cup (Oct/Nov) - Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, James Foster

Bangladesh Tests (Nov 28 – 10 Dec) - Luke Ronchi, Saqlain Mushtaq, bowling coach TBC
 
Businessman and former Wellington first-class cricketer Scott Weenink has been appointed chief executive of New Zealand Cricket.

The 50-year-old father of four replaces David White, who stepped down from the role earlier this month, and will officially begin duties after being welcomed into the Auckland office with a mihi whakatau on Friday week.

Mr Weenink was initially a corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions lawyer, before gaining extensive executive and governance experience in a wide range of industries, including funds management, financial services, private equity, telecoms/technology, infrastructure, and sport.

His background draws on a variety of working experiences in New Zealand, the UK, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and a sporting experience just as colourful, including Oxford University Blues in both cricket and rugby.

Over recent years he has been the chair of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, a position from which he will now step down.

New Zealand Cricket Board chair Martin Snedden said Mr Weenink was the preferred candidate in a strong field of applicants.

“Scott had a great deal to offer in all the key areas, plus some special experiences that specifically suited the skillset needed in this position,” he said.

“He understands the relationship between community and high performance sport; he’s very familiar with world cricket affairs and current issues, and he’s spent a significant time running organisations and projects within Asia, obviously a major region of importance for NZC.

“Scott understands cricket,” said Mr Snedden. “He understands its context in New Zealand; where it’s come from, where it is now, and where it should be going.

“His beliefs and philosophies align very easily to NZC’s overarching strategy and purpose. We’re very pleased he’s accepted our offer.”

Mr Weenink said it was a privilege to be offered the opportunity to help build on the strong progress made throughout the New Zealand game in recent years.

“It was a great honour to be offered the position,” he said. “I love sport and cricket in particular, and I also love the business of sport – so this seemed like an ideal role.

“There’s a finely balanced, symbiotic relationship between community and high performance cricket in New Zealand and one of my key responsibilities is to ensure that’s maintained and sustained into the future.”

Familiarising himself with the role and meeting key stakeholders would be high on his list of priorities.

“I’m looking forward to getting around the Major and District Associations, gaining an understanding of their environments and, equally, spending time with the high performance team at Lincoln,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people I need to meet and listen to, including our commercial and broadcast partners; there’s a lot to learn from the NZC team, and we have a huge period of cricket coming right at us, so there’s no time to lose.”

Mr Weenink has stepped down from four of the five non-executive director roles he held previous to this appointment. He remains on a school board of trustees.
 
Sam Wells appointed BLACKCAPS selection manager

Former Otago Volts player and selector Sam Wells has been appointed BLACKCAPS selection manager, taking over from Gavin Larsen ahead of the start of the domestic season.

The role is full-time in the summer with reduced hours in the winter and will see Wells work in conjunction with BLACKCAPS head coach and chief selector, Gary Stead.

The 39-year-old former all-rounder played 143 games for Otago and New Zealand A across all three formats in a ten-year career (2007-17), which included a call-up to the BLACKCAPS Test squad in 2012, although he never debuted.

Following his playing career, Wells was the selector for Otago A before taking over as convenor of selectors for the Volts this past season, all while continuing to practise law in Dunedin.

Wells, in conjunction with Stead, will be responsible for selecting all BLACKCAPS, New Zealand A and New Zealand XI squads for in-bound and out-bound tours.

NZC GM High Performance Bryan Stronach said the national selection manager was responsible for managing the selection processes, as well as working with domestic scouts and the Major Association coaches to stay up to date on the domestic scene.

Stronach said Wells impressed the panel with his grasp on the modern game and his understanding of selection dynamics, alongside his knowledge of domestic cricket in New Zealand.

“Sam’s playing and selecting experience, combined with his communication and legal skills presented a compelling case,” Stronach said.

“He’s well-versed in running robust processes where a variety of information and opinions are brought to the table to be considered - and that’s ultimately the role of the national selection manager.

“While Gary will ultimately make the final decisions as the chief selector, we want Sam preparing him with as much intel as possible, and then challenging his thinking and decisions.”

Wells, a self-confessed cricket tragic, said the job was an opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m hugely passionate about cricket in this country and to be given the opportunity to contribute at the highest level is an honour and a privilege” he said.

“As a player, I always appreciated direct and honest communication from selectors and that’s what I will endeavour to bring to this role.

“Through my experiences as a player and outside cricket, I believe I can bring a skill set which fits well with the position.

“I can’t wait to get started this summer and hopefully help play a part in continuing the success of the BLACKCAPS.”

Wells will officially begin his role on October 16.
 
Former New Zealand cricketer Kyle Mills, while speaking on a podcast, said that New Zealand Cricket should avoid splitting the Black Caps' coaching roles:

New Zealand Cricket should avoid going down the route of splitting the Black Caps’ coaching roles."

“We’re a victim of our environment, a little bit, when it comes to that.”

“If you look at England, they play cricket in blocks. You’ve got a red-ball block and a white-ball block."

“I think Baz [McCullum] has been home for three months. He goes out to England next week or the week after for their test match block. Australia’s the same."

“Us, we fight for people to come here and to play. We’ll play test matches one week, then we’ll squeeze in some T20 games or go back to a test, or go back to white-ball cricket."

“If we’ve got different coaches, the nucleus of our team is kind of the same, no matter what format."

“That would get messy for us. A coach leaving on Sunday morning, a new coach coming in on Monday, and then the following week they change back again? Mixed messages.”
 
New Zealand Cricket backs revamped Eden Park

Expect far more international cricket to be played in Auckland should the council back the redevelopment of Eden Park.

At a time when multiple proposals for a new international sports stadium in Auckland have been whittled down to two, NZC chief executive Scott Weenink has thrown his organisation’s weight behind a redeveloped Eden Park, describing the proposed flexible seating option to accommodate a regulation-sized oval for cricket, as a “game-changer”.

Mr Weenink said, as New Zealand’s favourite summer sport, cricket had been an interested bystander as several suggestions for a new Auckland stadium were floated, none of which, apart from the Eden Park concept, catered for the oval-shaped outfield required for cricket and, particularly, international cricket.

“The Eden Park re-development makes much more sense across the board, taking in the considerations and needs of all the different sports and events that will be impacted,” he said.

“Having a venue in Auckland with regulation-sized boundaries and the potential for a roof – well, it’s bit of a no-brainer for us, it would transform our national venue strategy and bring much more international cricket into the city.”

Because of the current shape and size of Eden Park’s playing field, only one Test has been played in Auckland during the past ten years, while T20Is and ODIs have also been adversely affected.

Mr Weenink said that, while he would love to see an international cricket arena developed at Victoria Park or on the Auckland Domain, it made no sense for Auckland to invest in two stand-alone stadiums, one rectangular in shape for the football codes, and the other oval-shaped for cricket, when both sports could be accommodated for a fraction of the cost at a redeveloped Eden Park.

“If Eden Park is re-designed so it can, a) accommodate a proper cricket oval and b) has a roof to eliminate the threat of rain, then I can envisage far more international fixtures being scheduled in Auckland.

“A venue like that would be well-placed to win hosting rights for marquee Test Matches against India, England and Australia, and also in the box seat to host both a quarter-final and a semi-final in the upcoming 2028 ICC T20I CWC.”

He said NZC’s strategic focus dovetailed nicely with Eden Park’s plan for a hybrid, multi-purpose stadium that was efficient, financially responsible, and environmentally sustainable.

“This is a time when we’re all being challenged to reduce our emissions, to make the most of what we’ve got, and to avoid wasting energy – and Eden Park’s proposed redevelopment is easily the most efficient option in this regard.

“NZC supports the re-development of Eden Park as the best, and probably the only solution, for future-proofing international cricket in Auckland.”

NZC
 
Six inbound tours confirmed for 2024/25 international summer

Double-headers, a Test series against England, the return of the Rose Bowl, and everything: these are some of the highlights of another exciting 2024-25 home international summer of cricket in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The programme starts with the BLACKCAPS’ much-anticipated three match Test series against England before Christmas, ends with the WHITE FERNS hosting Australia’s T20I side in late March, and in between includes visits from the Australia women’s ODI team, Sri Lanka men and women, and the Pakistan men’s side - potentially 41 days of international cricket in eight different cities.

The BLACKCAPS will fly to Pakistan in February for a tri-series against the hosts and South Africa before starting their ICC Champions Trophy campaign, ahead of returning home for five T20Is and three ODIs against Pakistan in March.

With several short-form games being played around the country’s holiday hot-spots in the New Year’s period, including Mt Maunganui and Nelson, and a Friday night T20I double header at Eden Park in March, interest is expected to remain high.

The WHITE FERNS will play a three-match Rose Bowl ODI series against Australia at the Cello Basin Reserve in the week before Christmas, and will later host a multi-format tour by Sri Lanka in March, immediately ahead of a three-game T20Is series against the No.1 ranked Australians.

Their last five T20Is will be played as double-headers alongside BLACKCAPS-Pakistan T20Is.

NZC’s GM of Marketing and Communications, Stacey Geraghty, said if the trend from last summer continues, fans might need to change their last-minute purchasing routine and buy tickets early.

“We saw some significant changes in the way people consumed international cricket last year,” said Ms Geraghty.

“Not only were the Tests and the bigger white ball fixtures selling out, but we were receiving more engagement from younger fans, those in the 16-34 age bracket.

“There was a buzz we hadn’t felt for a while and we’re feeling it again as we approach the 2024-25 summer. The extra exposure we’re receiving from having cricket broadcast live and free-to-air is making a genuine difference on the ground.”

The BLACKCAPS have a full schedule of offshore cricket in their immediate future, including six Tests and a six-match, white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, before returning home for the Test series against England.

The WHITE FERNS also continue their busy winter schedule, with a three-game T20I series in Australia in mid-September, followed by the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh (September-October) and a multi-format tour of India in the back half of October.

SOURCE: https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/six-inbound-tours-confirmed-for-202425-international-summer/
 
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Conway opts for casual playing agreement | Allen to pursue franchise opportunities

Devon Conway will represent the BLACKCAPS on a casual playing contract this summer.

The all-format opening batter, this week selected in the BLACKCAPS Test squad for the overseas contests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, has confirmed his availability for all international fixtures in the upcoming twelve months, bar the six white ball games against Sri Lanka in January.

This means the 33-year-old’s available for all nine of the BLACKCAPS upcoming Test matches, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February, and the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa ahead of it.

The decision to offer Conway a casual playing contract was made after the left-hander committed to not only playing for the BLACKCAPS outside this January’s window, but being available for key warm-up games ahead of the Champions Trophy, and scheduling breaks to manage workload issues.

Conway confirmed an opportunity to play in the next instalment of the SA T20 in January was the driving force behind the change to his NZC contract.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process,” Conway said.

“The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time.

“Playing for the BLACKCAPS is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.

“I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected.”

NZC CEO Scott Weenink said casual playing contracts were only offered on a discretionary basis but that Conway’s overall playing record, combined with his commitment to be available for the vast majority of BLACKCAPS games, sealed the deal.

“We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the BLACKCAPS – he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years,” said Mr Weenink.

“In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket – and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players.”

Mr Weenink reiterated NZC’s preference for selecting players on central or casual playing contracts for the BLACKCAPS.

Meanwhile, short-format batter Finn Allen has turned down a central contract offer to concentrate on franchise opportunities and has not been offered a casual playing contract.

Allen will remain available for the BLACKCAPS and his selection for upcoming squads will be on a case-by-case basis.

An announcement on the two players to replace Conway and Allen on the BLACKCAPS central playing contract list will be made in due course.
 
New Zealand Cricket is falling by the wayside because of T20 leagues. I don't see any country being affected by this as much as them. The unfortunate reality is that the board is powerless in this regard because they can't offer their players the same amount of money.

And while you can understand older guys like Conway or Boult wanting to do this, someone like Finn Allen choosing to turn down a central contract is a bit sad to see. Because he is a young player who should have ambitions to play for New Zealand.

There is no reason for Finn Allen to turn down a NZ central contract besides greed.

T20 leagues will make the next generation of cricket players more lazy and unprofessional. There will be great players coming still but I think we will see alot of guys who will be in it for the money and will try to get by on limited skills.

The rot has set in..
 
Oram appointed BLACKCAPS bowling coach

Former BLACKCAPS and Central Stags allrounder Jacob Oram has been appointed as the new BLACKCAPS bowling coach, taking over the role vacated by Shane Jurgensen in November.

The 229-capped international officially joins the BLACKCAPS staff after supporting the team as bowling coach in last year’s Test tour to Bangladesh, February’s T20I series at home against Australia, along with the recent ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Oram began his transition into coaching in 2014 as bowling coach with New Zealand A, and took up the role of WHITE FERNS bowling coach in 2018, supporting the team through to the end of the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2021.

He was appointed as head coach of the Central Hinds at the start of last summer and led the side to their first Dream11 Super Smash final since 2016, and has also served as the Northern Warriors assistant coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 league and as bowling coach of Mumbai Indians Cape Town in the SA20.

Oram said he was delighted to be appointed to the role.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the BLACKCAPS again,” he said.

“To be back involved with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honour.

“The recent opportunities I’ve had have been a great insight into where this team is going and I’m excited to continue that work in the coming seasons.

“There’s a fresh new wave of talent coming through in the BLACKCAPS bowling ranks and I hope that I can share my knowledge and experience to help best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket.”

Oram played 33 Tests, 160 ODIs and 36 T20Is across an 11-year international career and featured at three ICC ODI Cricket World Cups and four T20 World Cups.

NZC GM High Performance Cricket Bryan Stronach said Oram was an excellent fit for the role.

“Jake brings a wealth of experience to the role both from his playing days and also his body of work as a bowling coach since retiring as a player,” said Stronach.

“He has a great cricket brain and a good understanding of the modern game and needs of players.

“The feedback we’ve received from the playing group from Jake’s recent roles with the team has been very positive and we know he’s eager to build on the work over the upcoming seasons.

“He’s really well respected by the group and we’re confident he will add a lot to the environment.”

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said Oram brought a unique skillset to the role.

“Jake’s a great operator,” said Stead.

“His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speak for themselves.

“He brings a deep understanding of the international game, but also experience in franchise cricket which will be worthwhile in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for him and we’re looking forward to having him join the group full-time.”

Oram will officially begin the role on October 7.
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
New Zealand Cricket is falling by the wayside because of T20 leagues. I don't see any country being affected by this as much as them. The unfortunate reality is that the board is powerless in this regard because they can't offer their players the same amount of money.

And while you can understand older guys like Conway or Boult wanting to do this, someone like Finn Allen choosing to turn down a central contract is a bit sad to see. Because he is a young player who should have ambitions to play for New Zealand.

There is no reason for Finn Allen to turn down a NZ central contract besides greed.

T20 leagues will make the next generation of cricket players more lazy and unprofessional. There will be great players coming still but I think we will see alot of guys who will be in it for the money and will try to get by on limited skills.

The rot has set in..
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Finn Allen has an FC average of 20. Him not taking a central contract is the best decision for both himself and NZC
 
Promising allrounders Nathan Smith (Wellington Firebirds) and Josh Clarkson (Central Stags) have been awarded

BLACKCAPS contracts for the first time, effectively replacing Devon Conway and Finn Allen on the central contract list.

The elevation to the central contract list caps off a memorable twelve months for Oamaru-born Smith who was named the Men’s Domestic Player of the Year at the ANZ NZC Awards in March.

The 26-year-old was a standout performer in the Firebirds winning Plunket Shield campaign, leading the competition wicket-taking charts with 33 wickets at just 17, including career-best first-class figures of 6-36 against Canterbury.

His performances in the white-ball arena were also impressive – claiming 11 and 13 wickets in the Ford Trophy and Dream11 Super Smash campaigns respectively – his 4-5 against the Otago Volts in Alexandra the best men’s figures in last season’s men’s T20 competition.

27-year-old Clarkson has featured in three ODIs and six T20Is for the BLACKCAPS since making his international debut in the 1st ODI against Bangladesh in Dunedin in December.

The hard-hitting allrounder broke into BLACKCAPS contention off the back of a successful 2022-23 domestic campaign where his all-round performances helped his Central Stags lift both the Plunket Shield and the Ford Trophy.

Both players have also represented New Zealand at Under 19 level - at the 2016 ICC Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh, alongside fellow contracted BLACKCAPS Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Sears.

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said the elevation of both players had come off the back of impressive recent performances.

“Nathan’s been on our radar for a while having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time,” said Stead.

“He’s been particularly impressive in red ball cricket and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance.”

Stead said Clarkson had earned his opportunity based off the skillset he offered and his recent international performances.

“Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months which shows the strides he’s made in his game,” he said.

“He’s a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage.

“Josh will provide depth and adds value given the volume of white ball cricket on the horizon.”

Cricket Wellington and Central Districts will provide an update on Smith and Clarkson’s replacements on their respective domestic contract lists in due course.


BLACKCAPS 2024-25 central contracts

Tom Blundell (Wellington), Michael Bracewell (Wellington), Mark Chapman (Auckland), Josh Clarkson (Central Districts), Jacob Duffy (Otago), Matt Henry (Canterbury), Kyle Jamieson (Canterbury), Tom Latham (Canterbury), Daryl Mitchell (Canterbury), Henry Nicholls (Canterbury), Will O’Rourke (Canterbury), Ajaz Patel (Central Districts), Glenn Phillips (Otago), Rachin Ravindra (Wellington), Mitchell Santner (Northern Districts), Ben Sears (Wellington), Nathan Smith (Wellington), Ish Sodhi (Canterbury), Tim Southee (Northern Districts), Will Young (Central Districts)
 
Tim Southee has stepped down as BLACKCAPS Test captain, with Tom Latham confirmed to take up the role full-time.

Latham, who has captained the Test side on nine previous occasions, will lead a 15-strong Test squad including Southee, to India next Friday.

Southee has played 102 Tests for the BLACKCAPS since debuting in 2008, claiming 382 wickets, second only to Sir Richard Hadlee.

The 35-year-old has captained the side in 14 Tests (6 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws) since taking over from Kane Williamson in December 2022, and said the decision to step down was made in the best interests of the team.

“Captaining the BLACKCAPS in a format that’s so special to me, has been an absolute honour and a privilege,” he said.

“I’ve always tried to put the team first throughout my career and I believe this decision is the best for the team.

“I believe the way I can best serve the team moving forward is focusing on my performances on the field and getting back to my best, to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches.

“I will, as I’ve always done, continue to support my teammates, especially the exciting young bowlers making their way on the international stage.

“I wish Tom all the best in the role and he knows I’ll be there to support him on his journey, as he has done for me over the years.”

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead acknowledged Southee’s contribution to the Test team.

“Tim’s a fantastic player and a very good leader who is held in high regard by the players and support staff,” he said.

“He’s been a great servant of New Zealand Cricket over nearly 17 years playing on the international stage, and I’d like to acknowledge his humility in stepping down from the role as Test captain.

“It’s not easy giving up something you love, but Tim is a true team-man and he’s made the decision with the team’s best interests at heart.

“He’s one of our greatest ever players and we still very much see him playing a part in our Test side moving forward.”

NZC CEO Scott Weenink saluted Southee for his selflessness in putting the team first.

“It’s a measure of the man that he continues to put the team interests ahead of his own and, despite his obvious personal disappointment, wants to do the best thing possible for everyone else.

“To me, that’s the sign of a true leader in every sense of the word.”

Mr Weenink said Southee’s statesmanship would endure whether or not he was captain.

“Tim will continue to be an important leader within this group.

“It’s a huge honour to captain the BLACKCAPS and he’ll look back on his tenure with pride. He’s also helped shepherd in some exciting new talent in the seam bowling department with the emergence of Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears.

“The three of them, combined with Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, mean the BLACKCAPS continue to have exciting seam bowling depth.”
 
They will do better in India. Besides NZ is all about strategy. If the opposition has unknown noobs they will have difficulty to plan against them. India is a known unit. So they probably have plans already in place.
 
New Zealand are still an okay Test team despite their recent 0-2 defeat.

They are very good at home. Only Australia and South Africa can beat NZ in their own backyard.
 
sweep_shot said:
New Zealand are still an okay Test team despite their recent 0-2 defeat.

They are very good at home. Only Australia and South Africa can beat NZ in their own backyard.
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What is this sweepy? :inti

Did you forget the mighty beating that BD gave NZ in their backyard (that too in a test match) not too long ago?:confused:
 
BaaliSoda said:
What is this sweepy? :inti

Did you forget the mighty beating that BD gave NZ in their backyard (that too in a test match) not too long ago?:confused:
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I meant series win. BD won 1 Test there but didn't win the series.

Only Australia and South Africa seem capable of winning Test series in NZ (in recent times).
 
jnaveen1980 said:
They will do better in India. Besides NZ is all about strategy. If the opposition has unknown noobs they will have difficulty to plan against them. India is a known unit. So they probably have plans already in place.
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More than aus, hate is real for fake nice guys kiwi and poms.

So nothing less than 2 0 or 3 0 will satisfy me.
 
New Zealand is not gonna win anything in India on this tour. They were pathetic against SL and they deserve to get smoked by India as well.
 
New Zealand cricket seems to be in dire straits. Barring Southee, the bowling looks weak and inexperienced. The batting is full of ageing batters who are nearing the end of their usefulness. I think they need to take a gamble on a young go-getter like Glenn Phillips.
 
kron said:
More than aus, hate is real for fake nice guys kiwi and poms.

So nothing less than 2 0 or 3 0 will satisfy me.
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I mean New zealanders have significant experience in India due to participation int he IPL. Also they know about all the players.
 
Dion Nash elected to NZC Board

Businessman and former New Zealand Test player Dion Nash has been elected to the Board of New Zealand Cricket.

Nash, who played 32 Tests and 81 One Day Internationals for his country, also acted as a New Zealand men’s team selector before founding the skin and haircare company, Triumph & Disaster in 2011.

The 53-year-old will fill the vacancy left by the departing Martin Snedden, who steps down from the board by rotation following a lengthy service to the game as a player, chief executive, board member, chair of the board, and International Cricket Council director.

Bill Birnie and Roger Twose, who were also retired by rotation, successfully stood for re-election.

Board chair Diana Pukepatu-Lyndon welcomed Nash as a new NZC director and acknowledged Snedden’s significant contribution to the game.

“It’s good to have someone with Dion’s cricket and business experience coming onto the board at a time when Martin is stepping down,” said Puketapu-Lyndon.

“Martin’s been involved with NZC since he was a player in the eighties and has made an extraordinary contribution to the game over a period of 24 years.

“His mix of cricket, legal, and management expertise has been an important ingredient in the evolution of NZC from an old-fashioned incorporated society to a professional, modern and future-thinking organisation.”

Ms Puketapu-Lyndon said Nash’s addition would ensure the board retained a strong understanding of the anatomy and culture of the game at both community and high performance level.

“Dion has a strong interest in not just the playing of the game but the business of the game and that should help stand us in good stead.”

The AGM heard that NZC returned an $8m surplus for the financial year, just over 50 percent above the budgeted surplus of $5.3m.

While the result was pleasing, Puketapu-Lyndon said it was important for NZC to protect its equity as there were headwinds forecast in the shape of a predicted $6.8m loss in the following 2024-25 financial year.

“Revenue for FY24 came in at $98.4m against a budget of $93.9m,” she said.

“This was in the main part due to a distribution wash up from the previous ICC broadcast cycle, increased gates for Pakistan and Australian series versus the BLACKCAPS, and some new commercial partnerships.

“Operating expenses were basically in line with budget at $87.8m, which meant an operating profit of $8m against a budgeted operating profit of $5.3, which is a very good result for NZC.”

The meeting elected four additional life members (Neil Craig ONZM, Graham Dowling OBE, Lee Robinson MNZM, and Jock Sutherland QSM) and three more honorary members (WHITE FERNS Nicola Browne and Aimee Watkins, and former New Zealand player and coach, Warren Lees MBE).
 
NZC Hall of Fame to be launched | “First Eleven” to be inducted

New Zealand’s finest men’s and women’s cricketers are to be honoured in a Hall of Fame to be launched on the eve of the second Test against England at the Cello Basin Reserve.

A joint venture between New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), and the New Zealand Cricket Museum (NZCM), the Hall of Fame will be launched with an inaugural induction of 11 former internationals dubbed the “First Eleven”, with additional members to be recognised annually.

A Hall of Fame exhibit, featuring near life-size photographs of each inductee along with video and biographical content displayed on a digital touch-screen, will be formally opened at the NZCM on the evening of Thursday, December 5, in front of inductees and the families of those unable to attend.

The “First Eleven” will be presented to the Basin Reserve crowd during the lunch break of the first day of the second Tegel Test.

Chosen by a panel of historians and statisticians, the foundation inductees were selected on the basis of their international playing records, leadership, and influence; the only binding criteria being that they must have played for New Zealand and have been retired for at least five years.

The members of the “First Eleven” span a time from the Second World War to the current era.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the Hall of Fame initiative was a tripartite concept between NZC, the NZCPA, and the NZCM with a purpose of keeping alive the stories and heroics of our most famous players.

“We’re very grateful for the goodwill and collaboration shared between the three parties to make this possible,” said Weenink.

“We’re all working very hard to ensure the history and memories of our greatest players are immortalised, so young players growing up today and tomorrow better understand their identity and where they’ve come from.”

Weenink confirmed that in future years, additional inductees will be chosen by a voting academy including former players.

"I'm expecting some lively debate on who should be there and who shouldn't," he said. "The beauty of this is that it’s subjective, no-one's right or wrong - the ongoing discussions and kōrero are just as important."

Chair of the New Zealand Cricket Museum Trust Rochelle Roddick said the museum was delighted to host the Hall of Fame and celebrate New Zealand’s cricketing heritage.

"We're expecting an influx of visitors to the museum during the second Test match against England," said Roddick.

"The Hall of Fame display will nicely complement a variety of taonga showcasing New Zealand’s diverse cricket history."
 
NZC Hall of Fame “First Eleven” inducted

One of the most successful women in world cup history, the first man to take 400 Test wickets, the fastest Test century ever, a hundred hundreds, and a captain from start to finish...

Welcome to the NZC Hall of Fame.

Officially opened tonight at the New Zealand Cricket Museum in Wellington by former WHITE FERN and NZC President, Lesley Murdoch, the inaugural NZC Hall of Fame features the induction of eleven foundation members whose playing careers span an era from 1947 to 2016.

The “First Eleven”: Bert Sutcliffe, John Reid, Jackie Lord, Trish McKelvey, Glenn Turner, Sir Richard Hadlee, Debbie Hockley, Martin Crowe, Emily Drumm, Daniel Vettori, and Brendon McCullum, have been honoured with an exhibit featuring near life-size portraits with video and biographical content displayed on a digital touchscreen.

An alliance between NZC, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, and the New Zealand Cricket Museum, the Hall of Fame seeks to immortalise the country’s greatest cricketers, so that the players and fans of today can feel a sense of identity and a connection to those who have gone before them.

The rules require inductees to have played for New Zealand and to have been retired for at least five years, with criteria weighted in favour of performance, leadership and influence. A softer guideline was that players recognised should be of world-class stature in their prime, good enough to be picked in a theoretical World XI.

A shortlist was researched and compiled by cricket historian, statistician and author Francis Payne, without peer in his discipline within New Zealand, and stress tested with New Zealand women's cricket historian and author, Trevor Auger, Murdoch, and the NZCPA.

Payne, the long-time co-author of the annual New Zealand Cricket Almanack, as well as various other publications including Men in White, said the beauty of the Hall of Fame concept was that it was a subjective exercise, calculated to cause discussion.

“The first intake is always the most straight-forward as it includes some players who essentially pick themselves, they stand out that much,” said Payne.

“However, even in this phase there’ll still be discussions and debates about who should or should not be there - and that’s almost the point of the exercise, to keep the stories of New Zealand’s greatest players alive.”

Payne, NZC’s official historian, said there were clearly other players, both men and women, who were worthy of membership and stressed there would be opportunities to add to the foundation members on an annual basis.

“This is very much a living tribute with new players being added each year.”

Murdoch, who played for New Zealand between 1979 and 1990 and is now a sports media host, said the Hall of Fame was an important part of NZC’s push to better recognise the sacrifice and heroics of its past players.

“Now we have the project off the ground and underway, the plan is to incorporate a nominations panel and a voting academy, dominated by former players, who will vote to choose additional inductees on an annual basis,” she said.

“Doubtless, there’ll be plenty of discussions as we reminisce and explore our whakapapa, and that's what it's all about. To preserve the legacy of our cricketing family.”

The foundation inductees will be celebrated on the field during the lunch break on day one of the second Test between the BLACKCAPS and England at the Cello Basin Reserve.

The New Zealand Cricket Museum, located in the ground's Old Pavilion Stand, will be open throughout the Test.

NZC Hall of Fame

Foundation Inductees

Bert Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe cemented his reputation as a world-class batsman on the 1949 tour of England, totalling 2,627 first-class runs, second only to Sir Donald Bradman in terms of most runs by a visiting player on a tour of England. Sutcliffe was a central figure in cricket’s most dramatic day at Ellis Park on Boxing Day, 1953. Pictures of him batting, his head swathed in bandages after he was hit in the head by Neil Adcock, are now part of New Zealand sporting folklore. His innings of 80 not out that day, after returning from hospital, included seven sixes. As seemed inevitable, Sutcliffe eventually registered New Zealand’s highest score in Test cricket when he made an unbeaten 230 against India at Delhi in 1955. He returned to India ten years later as a 41-year-old and scored 151 not out at Kolkata.

John R Reid

When John Reid retired, he held the New Zealand Test records for most matches, most matches as captain, most runs, most wickets and most catches (and also stood in as wicketkeeper). His 58 Tests in succession was a world record at the time. Reid never missed a Test in his 16-year career. An aggressive, hard-hitting middle-order batsman who was unafraid to hit the ball in the air, he was also a brilliant fielder at gully or cover and a pacy seam bowler, who later in his career turned to highly effective off-cutters. Reid captained New Zealand to its long-awaited maiden Test win, in 1955-56 against the West Indies. One of Reid’s most famous innings was 296 against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve in 1962-63, which included a world record (at the time) 15 sixes.

Jackie Lord

A leg-spinner, Lord was a member of the side which gained New Zealand’s historic first Test win, against Australia at Melbourne in 1972, and played a significant role its first series win, against South Africa in the tour which followed. Lord made her New Zealand debut on the 1966 tour to England aged 18, playing in all three Tests on that tour and in all three when England came to New Zealand in 1968-69. Her career total of 55 wickets in Test matches is 20 more than the next best for New Zealand. She captured five or more wickets in an innings on four occasions (no one else has done it more than once) and is the only bowler to take ten wickets in a Test for New Zealand.

Trish McKelvey

McKelvey played in 15 Test matches and 15 one-day internationals for New Zealand and was captain in every one of them. She led New Zealand to both its first Test win (against Australia) and its first Test series win (against South Africa). Having captained Wellington in the previous domestic season, McKelvey was not only selected for New Zealand’s tour of England in 1966 (her White Ferns debut) but was also made captain. She and New Zealand were up against a powerful England line-up, led by Rachael Heyhoe, but the new skipper left undefeated in the Tests with all three games ending in draws. McKelvey became New Zealand’s first women’s Test centurion when she made 155 not out against England at the Basin Reserve in the summer of 1968-69.

Glenn Turner

Turner’s name was synonymous with hundreds – 103 of them in first-class cricket, including seven at Test level. Two of those Test hundreds were double centuries in the West Indies. Turner was the first New Zealander to score a century in each innings of a Test match, when New Zealand beat Australia for the first time, at Lancaster Park in 1974. In 1973, he became the first player in 35 years to score 1000 first-class runs in England before the end of May. Turner was no less adept at the one-day game, averaging 47 in one-day internationals and scoring more than 10,000 runs in the format. He was the first player to make a score of 150 in a one-day international.

Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee was one of the best fast bowlers in the world for much of his Test career and the first man to take 400 wickets. He was a match-winner for New Zealand. Before he started playing the team had won just seven Tests; when he retired, he’d played a role in 22 further victories. Sir Richard’s eventual career total of 431 Test wickets (including a world-record 36 five-wicket bags) was strewn with outstanding performances, none more so than on the 1985-86 Test tour of Australia, during which he took 33 wickets in three games, including a best-ever nine for 52 at Brisbane.

Debbie Hockley

In 19 Tests Hockley scored 1301 runs at 52.04, including four centuries, seven half-centuries and a top score of 126 not out against Australia, at Auckland. She was the New Zealand women’s team captain in six Tests and 27 ODIs. Hockley played 118 ODIs, scoring 4064 runs at 41.89, including four centuries, 34 half-centuries and a top score of 117 against England – while also taking 54 wickets. She was the first woman to eclipse 4000 ODI runs, and also the first to play 100 ODIs. Remembered as one of the greatest players in World Cup history, Hockley scored 1501 runs in 45 games at 42.88, including back-to-back centuries against Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the 1997 tournament, in India – where she totalled a record 456 runs at 76.00.

Martin Crowe

In his pomp, Crowe had few peers, and certainly not in the history of New Zealand Test cricket. His career-high 17 centuries towered over anyone else, and none was better than his 188 at Georgetown in 1985, against a West Indies attack containing some of the most fearsome fast bowlers in the history of the game. In 1991, at the Basin Reserve, Crowe was famously dismissed for 299 against Sri Lanka after sharing in a 467-run partnership for the third wicket with Andrew Jones – then the highest partnership in the history of Test cricket. Crowe was just as effective in the 50-over game, steering New Zealand to the semi-finals of the 1992 ICC World Cup with a combination of peerless batting and innovative captaincy.

Emily Drumm

Drumm became the first New Zealand cricketer to captain a World Cup winning side, following New Zealand’s memorable four run win against Australia at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in 2000. Drum played in five Tests and in the last two produced scores of 161 not out and 62 not out against Australia at Christchurch, and 62 and 112 not out against England at Guildford. Her unbeaten 161 against Australia was a New Zealand women’s Test record at the time. She also played 100 ODIs for her country, reaching fifty on 21 occasions, and twice going on to make a century. Drumm closed her international career in a one-day series against India in March 2006. Her last three innings at the top level were 94 not out, 83 and 67 not out.

Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori became New Zealand’s youngest Test cricketer when he made his debut against England at the Basin Reserve in 1996-97 at the age of 18 years and 10 days. By the time he stepped away from the game, Vettori had taken 362 Test wickets (at the time second only to Sir Richard Hadlee) and 305 ODI wickets. While Vettori’s bowling was impressive from the start, he soon showed his ability with the bat and rose to become an outstanding all-rounder on the world stage. His favourite spot appeared to be at number eight, from which he scored more runs than any other player in Test history, including four of his six Test hundreds.

Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum was the captain who led New Zealand out of the doldrums to establish itself, by the time he retired, as one of the best teams in the world. Along the way he starred in various roles, scoring New Zealand’s first triple century in Tests at one point, and the fastest century in Test history (off 54 balls) at another. Under McCullum’s leadership, New Zealand reached the World Cup final for the first time, in 2015, and went 13 consecutive home Tests without a defeat. McCullum was the first cricketer to play in 100 consecutive Tests from debut. Perhaps his greatest legacy was in the way he encouraged his team to respect themselves, the opposition and the game.
 
Santner appointed BLACKCAPS white ball captain

Mitchell Santner has been appointed the new BLACKCAPS white ball captain, officially taking over the role from Kane Williamson, who stepped down following the ICC T20 World Cup in June.

Santner, who has represented the BLACKCAPS in 243 internationals, will take-on the permanent leadership mantle of both the ODI and T20I sides, after previously leading the team in 24 T20Is and four ODIs.

The 32-year-old will officially begin his full-time captaincy tenure in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka in late December and early January.

The two series begin a heavy run of white ball cricket for the side, including an ODI Tri Series in Pakistan in February, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy and a home T20I and ODI series against Pakistan to conclude the New Zealand home summer.

Santner said he was humbled to be asked to lead the white ball teams on a full-time basis.

“It's obviously a huge honour and a privilege to be asked,” said Santner.

“When you're a young kid the dream was always to play for New Zealand but to have the opportunity to officially lead my country in two formats is special.

“It’s a new challenge and I’m excited to get stuck into the important period of white ball cricket that we have ahead of us.”

Santner, who most recently led the side in last month’s T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka, is one of just four players to have represented New Zealand over 100 times in both ODI and T20I cricket and is widely regarded as one of the top white ball bowlers in world cricket.

He first led the side in a T20I against West Indies at Bay Oval in November 2020 and became New Zealand’s 24th ODI captain when he led the side in the only ODI against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2022.

He said it was an exciting time to lead both white ball sides.

“There’s obviously a little bit of a changing of the guard with some of our experienced players at the back end of their careers

“I think that’s exciting for the remainder of the group and the young players to now take on the challenge and drive this team forward to further success.”

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said Santner was a great fit for the role.

“Mitch is a fantastic team man and leads by example in all facets of the game,” said Stead.

“He’s an incredibly calm and collected personality and he has a huge amount of respect in the changing room, which will serve him well.

“He’s had plenty of experience leading the T20 side and did a good job when he captained the ODI team last month, so he already has a good understanding of what it means to lead the team.

“I’m sure Mitch will also bring his own ideas and style of leadership to the role.”

Stead said the decision to hand Santner the mantle for both white ball teams was one based on the needs of the wider team.

“In Tom Latham we have an accomplished and experienced captain who has led the side admirably across all three formats.

“Tom’s doing a great job as full-time Test captain since taking over in October and we’re keen to allow him to focus on that job which requires a considerable amount of time and energy.”

NZC CEO Scott Weenink said Santner was a strong fit for the role.

“Mitchell was a natural choice, being one of the first picked for both the ODI and T20 teams, and being very popular and well-respected by his teammates,” said Mr Weenink.

“He’s been one of the top-performing white ball bowlers in world cricket for several years, and his experience will hold him in good stead as he takes over the captaincy roles.

“I know he will be a great leader of these teams.”

The BLACKCAPS squads for the KFC T20I and Chemist Warehouse ODI series against Sri Lanka will be named on Monday.

The three-match T20I series begins at Bay Oval on December 28.
 
Stand off between top players and NZ Cricket over digital rights deal

Relations between the Black Caps and New Zealand Cricket have soured amid a stand-off over digital image rights, with the Players Association saying its relationship with NZC is at an all time low.

The dispute centres around the digital use of Names, Images and Likeness (NIL) and their use by Indian company Nautilus Mobile in the app Real Cricket, for a game called WorldCricket20.

New Zealand Cricket has a deal with Dream 11, an Indian fantasy sport platform, which NZC says gives them exclusive NIL rights to New Zealand players.

The revenue from the Dream11 is split 50-50 between NZC and the Players.

NZC believes the Players Association has unlawfully assigned player rights to the World Cricketers Association, so that its commercial affiliate Winners Alliance can form a partnership with Nautilus to leverage NIL for use in its mobile game.

However, the chief executive of the Players Association Heath Mills disputes NZC's view that it has exclusive rights.

Mills maintains the licensing deal with Real Cricket app doesn't breach any agreement with the national body.

"In our collective agreement and player contracts we give New Zealand cricket the right to use the player images, name, and likeness etc, in association with their marks and logos but they have never had and never would have the rights to the players images or names etc, without their marks and logos," he said.

"New Zealand Cricket sold rights to the use of the player images in association with New Zealand Cricket property rights to the Dream XI game. But they did not sell those rights to their players without New Zealand Cricket's IP and name etc. So the players are free to do what they want with their personal images.

"Dream Sports may well be raising issues with New Zealand Cricket but the players are not in breach of that agreement, we know the clause and they only have rights to the players in association with New Zealand Cricket's marks and logos."

Mills said the association was very disappointed with the "change in approach" from New Zealand Cricket. The clear reference being that the approach has changed under New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink, a former Wellington first class cricketer who took up the role in 2023.

"The players know that we're dealing with a new New Zealand Cricket now. We've had a good relationship with New Zealand Cricket for 23 odd years but we received a round of legal letters from NZ Cricket at the end of last year, which are the first legal letters we've received from them since we were formed in 2002 so the nature of the relationship has changed significantly," Mills said.

"Those legal letters are threatening litigation against the players and are claiming ownership of the players and all their image rights, so they are seeking to control the players."

"There were talks to try and resolve matters over the last three or four weeks but those talks have completely broken down now so not sure where we go to now. But while these legal letters are live, we will need to push back very strongly against that organisation."

In a statement to RNZ, Weenink remained upbeat about discussions maintaining "talks remain constructive, both groups believe they're seeking what's best for the players, and we're hopeful of reaching a satisfactory resolution."

Another factor entwined in all of this is that Mills, who is also the head of the World Cricketers Association and is a director of investment company Winners Alliance which is backing Real Cricket.

Mills said the players put all their image rights into a trust that's been in place in New Zealand for 10 years.

"We have passed those rights through to the World Cricketers Association so the association holds their group collective rights but not in association with any marks and logos of any team or any country.

"Then those rights have been passed on to a company in the US called the Winners Alliance, a sports licensing company, which is very normal. And that company is currently getting licensing fees from the more than 20 video games that operate out of India, so that the players can finally get paid for the use of their images."

But Mills is adamant there's no conflict with him being a director on the Winners Alliance board.

"When the World Cricketers Association onsold the rights through to Winners Alliance, we got a seat around that board table, which I currently sit on that board, to ensure that our player rights all around the world are looked after and treated fairly."

SOURCE: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/54...ayers-and-nz-cricket-over-digital-rights-deal
 
Gary Stead will decide in the next few weeks if he wishes to reapply for the role of BLACKCAPS Test coach – but has confirmed his decision to step away from the white ball formats.

Arguably New Zealand’s most successful coach, Stead was first appointed to the position in 2018 following the resignation of Mike Hesson, and has twice had his contract renewed: in 2020, and in 2023 – the latter term expiring in June this year.

While still considering his options in terms of the Test position, the man who steered the BLACKCAPS to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021, and to an unprecedented 3-nil Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year, has formally signalled his intention to step down from ODI and T20I role.

“I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” said Stead.

“My focus has been on finishing the season strongly with a lesser experienced team.

“The past six to seven months has been particularly busy with relatively non-stop cricket action since September.

“I now want to evaluate my options but still feel I have coaching left in me, albeit not as Head Coach across all formats.

“The next month will give me the opportunity to discuss the situation more with my wife, family and others.

“I’ll be in a better position to know whether I want to reapply for the Test coaching position after this time of reflection.”

NZC Chief High Performance Officer Bryan Stronach said Stead deserved the opportunity to take some time out over his decision.

“Gary’s results have been very impressive over a long period and we’re very comfortable giving him some time to collect his thoughts and mull things over,” said Stronach.

“At the moment we haven’t any strong preference for either a split-coaching role or a sole appointment who covers all three formats, and we’re unlikely to be clearer on that until we see who’s putting their name forward.”

Advertising for the position, both in full and/or in part, will commence within the next week or so.
 
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has agreed terms with US-based company True North Sports Ventures (TNS) to launch a new Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise, set to debut in the 2027 season.

MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan are the majority owners of entities which hold exclusive rights to own and operate two MLC expansion franchises, the first of which will be launched by TNS in 2027.

TNS is exploring several key markets across North America, including Toronto and Atlanta, to base the new franchise.

NZC also has the opportunity to partner with Mehta and Srinivasan on other strategic opportunities, including the second franchise planned for 2031.

The first-of-its-kind agreement between a full member of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league will see NZC provide high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management, and support staff, as well as integrating the franchise into its domestic high-performance ecosystem.

In the second phase of development, NZC will offer expertise in cricket infrastructure and turf management.

Additionally, NZC has become a foundation investor in TNS, with the ability to make a more substantial equity investment before the end of 2025.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the partnership would position his organisation at the forefront of cricket’s global transformation, as well as strengthening its presence in the world’s most lucrative sporting market.

“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” he said.

“As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network.

“This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base, and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.”

Weenink noted MLC was a world-class T20 tournament, and said he was proud to align with Messrs. Mehta and Srinivasan and the TNS investor group, to drive cricket’s growth in North America.

He said NZC would be joining an array of world-class, global sports, high net worth, and private equity investors in TNS, including 49ers Enterprises (the investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers) which boasts an enviable portfolio of global sports assets, including recently promoted English Premier League side, Leeds United.

Mehta and Srinivasan are serial entrepreneurs who co-founded Willow TV, North America’s premier cricket broadcaster, after which they co-founded the MLC and led its successful launch in 2023.

“TNS is delighted to partner with NZC, an organisation admired for its sustained success despite limited financial and playing resources compared to other international cricketing bodies,” said Mehta.

“As founders of start-ups that have rapidly grown to established businesses, we see NZC as a perfect fit for our new franchise.

“With NZC’s expertise, our expansion franchise will elevate MLC’s world-class T20 product and support cricket’s rapid growth in our region.

“The potential for cricket in North America is immense, and we look forward to working with NZC to deliver on both our ambitions and theirs, including broader strategic and corporate opportunities globally.”


MLC, which achieved “List A” status ahead of its 2024 season, is a leading global T20 tournament played in North America over three to four weeks during June and July, broadcast in the US via Willow TV, and in major global markets, including New Zealand.

Currently comprising six foundation franchises featuring players such as top BLACKCAPS Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Trent Boult, and overseas stars like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Steve Smith, and David Miller, MLC plans to expand to eight teams by 2027 and ten by 2031.

The league also supports a robust youth cricket system and a semi-professional minor league in the US.

The yet un-named NZC-backed franchise, set to be formally announced later this year, will tap into a 25 million strong cricket fan base that is driving the sport’s rapid growth in North America, evidenced by the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics.
 
Rising stars headline BLACKCAPS 2025-26 Central Contracts

A quartet of exciting talents has earned first-time BLACKCAPS central contracts for the 2025-26 season, with Mitch Hay, Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes and Adi Ashok set to bolster New Zealand’s ranks.

Hay, a 24-year-old keeper-batsman from Canterbury, struck an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls to anchor New Zealand’s ODI innings against Pakistan earlier this year, and also set a world record with six dismissals in a T20I during his debut tour in Sri Lanka in November.

Twenty one year-old Wellington allrounder Muhammad Abbas smashed a record-breaking 52 off 26 balls on his ODI debut against Pakistan in March, setting the fastest fifty on debut in men’s ODIs.

He also showcased his left-arm pace bowling in the same match, claiming Mohammad Rizwan as his maiden ODI wicket.

Foulkes (22) made his T20I debut for the BLACKCAPS against Pakistan last year, stepping in for the injured Adam Milne and impressing with his all-round skills. He made his ODI debut in November.

Auckland leg-spinner Adi Ashok (22) rounds out the newcomers, returning to the BLACKCAPS ODI squad earlier this year after making his debut in 2023, and most recently starring with a five wicket haul in New Zealand A’s win over Bangladesh A at Sylhet.

The selection process, managed by Chief High Performance Officer Bryan Stronach and overseen by NZC, involved BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead, selector Sam Wells, assistant coaches Jacob Oram and Luke Ronchi, and Performance Manager Mike Sandle.

A statistical review of domestic and international performances across Test, ODI, and T20I formats informed the rankings, with the final 20 players selected based on past performances, the 2025-26 schedule, and their likelihood of representing New Zealand.

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink hailed the new additions as a sign of New Zealand cricket’s bright future.

“The contracts with Mitch, Muhammad, Adi and Zak reflect the incredible talent coming through our system,” Weenink said.

“These players have shown they can compete at the highest level, and their hunger to represent the BLACKCAPS is exciting.

“We’re thrilled to see this group drive our team forward.”

Weenink added: “The list captures the depth and versatility of our talent pool. With a packed season ahead, including the ICC T20 World Cup in February, these players are ready to make their mark and inspire fans across New Zealand.”



Tim Southee (retired), Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Josh Clarkson, all of whom were centrally contracted in 2024-25, were not offered contracts this year. Discussions on casual playing contracts for players such as Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Lockie Ferguson, are ongoing.

The full list of players centrally contracted for 2025-26 is: Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, William O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gary Stead bows out as BLACKCAPS coach

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead’s highly successful seven years in charge of the national side will officially conclude when his contract finishes at the end of this month.

Stead, who last month confirmed he would step away as coach of the white-ball formats, was effectively ruled out of contention for the head coach role after NZC opted for one head coach across all three formats.

Widely considered New Zealand’s most successful national coach, Stead oversaw the inaugural ICC World Test Championship win in 2021, and an unprecedented three-nil Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year, alongside five out of six finals appearances in ICC white-ball World Cups.

The BLACKCAPS consistency was a hallmark of the Stead era, with the side rising to number one in the ICC Test and ODI rankings during his stint, as well as winning countless bi-lateral series and breaking new ground with series wins at home and abroad (full achievements list below).

Stead can also be credited with rejuvenating the team during his time in charge with the selections of stars such as Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Will O’Rourke.

The 53-year-old said it had been a privilege to lead the team.

“There’s been some amazing memories over the past seven years based around a group of fantastic and talented people who have gone out to give their best for their country, each other and for the fans,” he said.

“Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson had left the team with strong values and a style of play, and I’ve just tried to build and shape that further to grow our ability to be consistent in everything we do.

“It’s been nice to be competitive across all three formats and I’d like to think that regardless of results, the opposition know the BLACKCAPS are a team that won’t fold and will always show the grit and determination to compete.”

Stead cited the ICC World Test Championship victory and the three-nil sweep of India as highlights, alongside the way the team held themselves during and after the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

“To work alongside some of New Zealand’s best cricketers and have had a ringside seat to every training and match has been very special and an absolute honour.

“For a country with five million people and limited resources, we comparatively perform outstandingly well against the other powerhouses of the game.

“I am grateful to all those that have helped and supported me during my time, especially to my wife Rachel and children Alex and Libby who have sacrificed much.

“I also want to pay special thanks to NZC, and in particular all of the support staff I have worked with who are hands-on with the team and in the thick of things day-in and day-out.

“I’d like to wish the new coach well and the team every success in the future.

“I’ll initially take some time to refresh and recharge, but I still have the coaching bug and will look to explore opportunities at home and abroad where I can look to share what I’ve learned from my 30 years of professional sport as a player and coach.”

BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson saluted Stead’s immense contribution to the BLACKCAPS.

“Steady gave absolutely everything to the team,” Williamson said.

“There was no one more hardworking and passionate about seeing the BLACKCAPS grow and succeed.

“He was always thorough in his planning and preparation and will go down as one of our best coaches, but an even better bloke.”

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink praised Stead’s transformative impact.

“Gary’s been an exceptional leader for the BLACKCAPS, elevating the team to the pinnacle of world cricket with remarkable consistency and courage,” said Weenink.

“His achievements, from the World Test Championship triumph to historic series wins abroad, have inspired the country and set a new benchmark for excellence in the New Zealand game.

“On behalf of NZC, I want to extend Gary our deepest gratitude for his dedication and commitment and wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Stead’s final few weeks in charge will see him at the BLACKCAPS winter camps helping players prepare for July’s tour to Zimbabwe.
 
They should just give both roles to Rob Walter. I'm not a fan of split coaches for red-ball and white-ball.
 
Walter lands BLACKCAPS Head Coach role

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Walter as the new Head Coach of the BLACKCAPS, effective from mid-June through to the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in October-November 2028.

Very familiar with the New Zealand game, South African-born Walter lives in the Hawke’s Bay with his wife Heather and two sons, having previously filled the Head Coach roles for the Otago Volts and the Central Stags.

He was most recently the Head Coach of South Africa men’s white ball teams which, under his guidance, reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Walter’s contract term means he will oversee the BLACKCAPS through a demanding international schedule, including the ICC World Test Championship, the 2028 LA Olympics, and three major ICC events: the ICC 2026 T20 World Cup, the ICC 2027 Cricket World Cup, and the ICC 2028 T20 World Cup.

During his tenure with the Otago Volts, Walter led the team to the Super Smash play-offs in 2019-20 and secured back-to-back Ford Trophy finals appearances in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

His time with the Central Stags was even more impressive: the team reaching the Ford Trophy final in 2021-22, ahead of championship victories in both the Ford Trophy and the Plunket Shield in 2022-23.

He also coached the men’s New Zealand A squad in India in 2022 and has previously been the assistant coach of the Pune Warriors and the Delhi Daredevils, respectively, as well as the Head Coach of South African side, the Eastern Titans.

Walter, who replaces the highly successful Gary Stead as BLACKCAPS Head Coach, said he was honoured and excited to be given the responsibility of carrying on the excellent work of his predecessor, and contributing to such a high-performing group of players and staff.

“The BLACKCAPS have been a successful and highly-regarded team on the world scene for some time now and it’s a real privilege to be given the chance to add to that,” he said.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested.

“I just can’t wait to get started. It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and the opportunity is enormous for everyone.”

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said it was the right time and place for Walter.

“Rob is a world-class coach with an outstanding pedigree,” said Weenink.

“His success in New Zealand’s domestic game, combined with his recent achievements on the global stage with South Africa, makes him the ideal candidate to lead the BLACKCAPS.

“We’re excited to welcome Rob back home to guide our team through an exciting and challenging period, including three major ICC events.”

www.nzc.nz

Walter lands BLACKCAPS Head Coach role

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Walter as the new Head Coach of the BLACKCAPS, effective from mid-June through to the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in October-November 2028.
www.nzc.nz www.nzc.nz
 
Stars set to descend on Kiwi shores this summer

Four heavyweights taking on the BLACKCAPS; ICC T20 World Cup selections on the line, the WHITE FERNS squaring off against Zimbabwe and South Africa - these are some of the highlights of New Zealand Cricket's Home International Schedule for the 2025-26 season.

The BLACKCAPS will host Australia, England, the West Indies, and South Africa in a packed home season across multiple formats, the first three sides arriving before Christmas ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka - which starts January and runs into March.

The WHITE FERNS, involved in their own ICC Cricket World Cup between late September and early November, are set for a bumper 14-game home summer, including a first-ever series against Zimbabwe, and a five-match T20I series against South Africa alongside the BLACKCAPS and South Africa men, in a continuation of the successful T20 International doubleheaders.

The home international summer will comprise 46 days of international cricket played at nine venues throughout the country: Eden Park (Auckland), Seddon Park (Hamilton), Bay Oval (Tauranga), McLean Park (Napier), Sky Stadium (Wellington), Cello Basin Reserve (Wellington), Saxton Oval (Nelson), Hagley Oval (Christchurch) and the University of Otago Oval (Dunedin).

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink said he was delighted NZC was able to wrap such an exciting home schedule around the two offshore global tournaments.

“It’s great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, and especially pleasing for NZC to host the first-ever series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand women,” he said.

“Fans will see top-tier cricket across all our major centres, with the doubleheaders against South Africa offering a chance to watch the very best female and male cricketers in the world on display in a unique day-out experience.

“We’re thrilled to build this exciting home summer around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and on the back of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, giving our players a chance to shine on the global stage as well as at home in front of their own fans.

“We’ve seen fantastic crowds across the country over the past few seasons and are looking forward to that continuing this summer given the strength of the schedule.”

The BLACKCAPS’ white-ball challenges comprise three T20Is against Australia in Mount Maunganui in early October, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs against England, and a five match T20I series and a three-game ODI series against the West Indies.

Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve, and Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval are the venues for the BLACKCAPS three-Test series against the West Indies in December, marking the start of the home side’s fourth ICC World Test Championship cycle.

BLACKCAPS pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson, who made a successful return from injury in the recent home summer, said it was exciting to have some of the best teams in the world coming to New Zealand.

“It feels like a marquee summer,” he said.

“The calibre of opposition means we’ll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that’s what you want as a cricketer.

“It’s great to have another three-Test series at home and I’m sure the fans will get in behind the Test team as they have in seasons gone by.

“It’s always special to play in front of a home crowd and we’re hoping Kiwis will get out in force to support us once again this summer.”

WHITE FERNS rising star Georgia Plimmer said her side had plenty to look forward to.

“We can’t wait for the international season and the chance to play in another ICC Cricket World Cup,” she said.

“We want to play as much cricket as we can, especially in front of our home fans and it’s exciting to have a 14-game home summer to prepare for.

"It’s great to see more T20I doubleheaders as they are such a great experience for teams and fans alike and it was awesome to see such strong crowds last season.”

NZC Home International Schedule 2025-26

BLACKCAPS v Australia

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Bay Oval, Friday, 3 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Bay Oval, Saturday, 4 October 2025, 19:15

BLACKCAPS v England

1st T20I, Hagley Oval, Saturday, 18 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Hagley Oval, Monday, 20 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Eden Park, Thursday, 23 October 2025, 19:15

1st ODI, Bay Oval, Sunday, 26 October 2025, 14:00

2nd ODI, Seddon Park, Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 14:00

3rd ODI, Sky Stadium, Saturday, 1 November 2025, 14:00

BLACKCAPS v West Indies

1st T20I, Eden Park, Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Eden Park, Thursday, 6 November 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Saxton Oval, Sunday, 9 November 2025, 13:15

4th T20I, Saxton Oval, Monday, 10 November 2025, 13:15

5th T20I, University of Otago Oval, Thursday, 13 November 2025, 13:15

1st ODI, Hagley Oval, Sunday, 16 November 2025, 14:00

2nd ODI, McLean Park, Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 14:00

3rd ODI, Seddon Park, Saturday, 22 November 2025, 14:00

3-dayer, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Wednesday, 26 – Friday, 28 November 2025, 11:00

1st Test, Hagley Oval, Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 December 2025, 11:00

2nd Test, Cello Basin Reserve, Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 December 2025, 11:00

3rd Test, Bay Oval, Thursday 18 – Monday 22 December 2025, 11:00

WHITE FERNS v Zimbabwe

1st T20I, Seddon Park, Wednesday 25 February 2026, 19:15

2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Friday 27 February 2026, 19:15

3rd T20I, Seddon Park, Sunday, 1 March 2026, 13:15

1st ODI, University of Otago Oval, Thursday, 5 March 2026, 11:00

2nd ODI, University of Otago Oval, Sunday, 8 March 2026, 11:00

3rd ODI, University of Otago Oval, Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 11:00

WHITE FERNS & BLACKCAPS v South Africa – T20I Doubleheaders

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Sunday, 15 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

3rd T20I, Eden Park, Friday, 20 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

4th T20I, Sky Stadium, Sunday, 22 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

5th T20I, Hagley Oval, Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

WHITE FERNS v South Africa

1st ODI, Hagley Oval, Sunday, 29 March 2026, 14:00

2nd ODI, Cello Basin Reserve, Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 11:00

3rd ODI, Cello Basin Reserve, Saturday, 4 April 2026, 11:00



www.nzc.nz

Stars set to descend on Kiwi shores this summer

Four heavyweights taking on the BLACKCAPS; ICC T20 World Cup selections on the line, the WHITE FERNS squaring off against Zimbabwe and South Africa - these are some of the highlights of New Zealand Cricket's Home International Schedule for the 2025-26 season.
www.nzc.nz www.nzc.nz
 
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