Cricket: HRV's chance of a lifetime

Melbourne's Lasith Malinga. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's Twenty20 showpiece, the HRV Cup, could become more of an international competition next year - with some of the world's best short-format players on view - if the cricket planets align before the World Cup.

In what would be a windfall for New Zealand Cricket and its major associations, there is a distinct possibility many of the world's best players could be attracted to play for HRV Cup franchises as a means of acclimatising to New Zealand pitches and conditions before the World Cup. Those players could even be signed at comparatively discount prices, using World Cup preparation as a lever.

However New Zealand Cricket and broadcast partner Sky TV have some tricky negotiations ahead to make it work.

The World Cup starts mid-February and the congested nature of international cricket means few teams are free from bilateral series between November and January. However, the right scheduling of the HRV Cup could see the competition take on a truly international air.

For example, if most of the HRV Cup was squeezed into the first three weeks of December, all England's players, plus Indian and Australian limited overs specialists (test players would be out - a four-test series is scheduled in Australia) could be available.

The major downside is that New Zealand's own premier players might not feature much - they have tours away to Pakistan and home against Sri Lanka in that period although they might figure for a fortnight in early December.

The other potential downside is the scheduling of Australia's Big Bash League - the T20 tournament the HRV Cup could most resemble with this new influx of internationals.

Half the World Cup games are played in Australia and India (four out of six) and Australia (five out of six) play the majority of their pool games in Australia while England split it three apiece - meaning some players might prefer to prepare across the Tasman.

TBB has already attracted established overseas players like Muttiah Muralitharan, Eoin Morgan, Chris Tremlett, Daniel Vettori, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and others.

NZC's general manager of domestic cricket, David Cooper, says: "It's too early to predict extra overseas interest [with the competition not scheduled] but there is an opportunity for major associations to seize. As a former CEO [of Northern Districts], I know how important it is to try to create the X-factor to win the tournament and qualify for the financial benefits of the Champions League. One way to lure players has always been to take those from teams, or on the periphery of teams, that are touring Australia.

"The World Cup will shadow all other cricket, so we need to find the best window. Ideally it would come off the back of the HRV Cup."

Cooper acknowledges there will always be debate about the value of bringing in an import for one game. Otago brought in West Indian Jason Holder for this year's final. One school of thought suggests they should be available for a minimum period, like three matches.

"There will be further conversations on this with the major associations to see if it is worth it or fair. On one hand it looks a bit willy-nilly; on the other you're bringing in quality players for the benefit of the competition."

Broadcast arrangements might also need tweaking with Sky scheduling matches on Friday nights, with few people turning up.

"It comes back to what we want to do with the product," Cooper says. "Do we continue with night time cricket or push for greater presence at the ground [for example on Sunday afternoons]?"