Cricket: Twenty20 teams to keep it local for new season

Graham Napier. Photo / Photosport

The overseas chequebook is being swapped for the local address book in signing players for this season's domestic Twenty20 competition.

Apart from Wellington recruiting test and one-day world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan, there are no other names that might be considered high profile international signings as yet. Major associations are opting to look closer to home to fill their ranks and several may not even utilise their two-player import quota.

Such decisions are indicative of a desire to save money and get value for investment when competing directly with the Australian Big Bash League. The HRV Cup is being held from December 18 to January 22 and the Black Caps are available. The only brief exceptions are Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori and any others recruited to play the odd game for Australian sides to increase their chances of attending the Champions League later in the year.

Reinforcing the budget cutbacks are the dates of Australia's BBL (December 16-January 28). Not only is it being played at the same time as the HRV Cup but it has more money to spend, given it is beamed into Indian homes as part of a lucrative broadcasting deal.

That means if a cricketer has a choice about playing in Australia or New Zealand he is more likely to choose the former because a top performance has a better chance of being noticed by Indian Premier League scouts.

The Rugby World Cup is also understood to have played a part in the import downturn. With plenty of sports fans' disposable income already spent on that tournament, it would be bold for major associations to invest in a host of high profile players to drive fans through the HRV Cup turnstiles. As yet no major association is understood to have signed two imports despite that rule being relaxed before last season.

Northern Districts led the 2010-11 import hunt. They used internationals David Hussey, Brad Hodge, David Warner and Herschelle Gibbs at various stages and checked the availability of Andrew Symonds and Kieron Pollard who eventually declined. This year financial prudence and a wealth of local Black Caps means they are not importing anyone at this stage. Scott Styris is set to captain the team in the only format he will play after retiring from internationals.

Defending champions Auckland have contracted Andre Adams with no further plans of any detail. Central Districts intend to use dependable English all-rounder Graham Napier who helped them to the title in 2009-10. Canterbury has opted against bringing back Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate but may look at using Australian-born pace bowler Mitchell Claydon.

They narrowly missed signing 20-year-old England limited overs all-rounder Ben Stokes, son of Canterbury-born Gerard, the former Kiwi rugby league international. Stokes has a finger that needs surgery otherwise he was understood to be keen.

Otago have brought back English all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas who helped them to their last T20 title in 2008-09. They have also recruited England pace bowler Steve Finn but he will only play in the early Plunket Shield fixtures.