Cricket: Chiefs stumped on future of flagging domestic scene

By Terry Maddaford

With a price tag of $120,000 a round, representative cricket in New Zealand doesn't come cheap. But don't expect administrators to toss the Shell Trophy out the window.

"As long as we play test cricket we have to have some form of trophy cricket," New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid says. "But just what mix we need - or can afford - is something we have to address."

A forum of the chief executives of the six major associations was held last month at which alternatives were discussed.

"One option is to go back to playing Shell Trophy earlier in the season - before Christmas - and conference cricket later. Another is to abandon conference cricket and expand the `A' programme. The third is to retain the status quo."

Reid admits the problems of the past season were accentuated with the first of on-going twin tours.

"If we are to have two international sides here each summer - as seems certain - we have to work our entire programme around them," Reid said. "That will usually involve one team here from early-mid December to late January and the second from mid-February to late March.

"Having a team here over the Christmas-New Year cuts across the traditional Shell Cup window. Associations, experiencing that for the first time this season, reported a substantial fall-off in gatetakings even at traditional holiday venues like Mt Maunganui and Alexandra.

"Maybe we will have to move Shell Cup cricket to fit in between the tours - next season the West Indies and Australia are due," Reid said. "There is plenty to be considered. But we are not alone in this.

"Australia's longtime first class competition, the Sheffield Shield, is in dire straights."

NZC pays out $72,000 - $1000 per player - for each Shell Trophy round. They also pay $500 per player, per game in the Shell Cup. The associations pick up the remaining charges - accommodation, travel, ground hire, catering, umpire expenses and other incidental costs.

Gate-takings are non-existent with spectator counts often in single figures. That is not an issue with Reid.

He is adamant the academy programme - the 1999 intake is due to be announced in the next few days - will remain.

And there is, Reid insists, a place for conference cricket, but only if the New Zealand players are involved.

"We need them to play otherwise the standard is short of what we require. But, having said that, next season will be a real challenge.

"The New Zealand team is due back from the World Cup and tour of England in late August. They are then due to go to India in early October and return in early December.

"The West Indies will be here from mid-December to mid-January, Australia are here from mid-February to the end of March. Two or three days after that we leave for a full tour of the West Indies."

Northern Districts chief executive John Turkington said the associations and NZC would have to come up with a "wish list" and work from there.

"Shell Trophy must stay - as four-day games but without a final - as part of the development process for test cricket, as must the Shell Cup, but with the need to try and have the New Zealand players available for more games.

"There will, I'm sure, be plenty of talking before a finite programme is agreed upon."