New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan gives an update about the ICC Vice Presidency, the master agreement, regional forums and more.
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Master Agreement
Over the past months New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) have been negotiating the terms of a new collective agreement. Our current agreement has now come to an end and in the very near future we should be able to announce details of a new deal. All the parties have worked really hard to get to this stage – and I am excited about the outcome, which should be tremendous for cricket in this country.
Contracted Players
Associated with the negotiations, NZC has announced its new list of 20 contracted players, which welcomes in some exciting talent, with Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, B J Watling and Kane Williamson all featuring on the contracted player list for the first time. It is also welcome back to the contract list for Scott Styris and Darryl Tuffey, who are both rewarded for great seasons last year.
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White Ferns
The White Ferns recently completed their away series against the World Champion English team. The Ferns showed great form in winning the T20 series, but couldn’t quite overcome the England team in the 50 over series – losing 3-2 – but did finish with a flourish, comprehensively winning their last ODI at Lords.
BLACKCAPS
The BLACKCAPS are about to embark upon a tri-series in Sri Lanka, a series which also includes the Indian team. This marks the start of pretty much non-stop cricket through until the World Cup which commences in February of next year. The BLACKCAPS’ schedule may be busy, but the tours to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India over the next four months provide great acclimitisation to the conditions we’ll be facing in the World Cup. The team recently completed a successful pre-tour set of games in Darwin, but from now on the competition will be fierce.
World Cup
A lot of focus is currently on performing well at the World Cup next year. And much of the country’s focus is on hosting the Rugby World Cup later next year. However attention at NZC is starting to look towards 2015, when we shall be co-hosting the Cricket World Cup with Australia. This event should do wonders for the sport in this country – just as it did in 1992, when it transfixed the nation. There will be a significant amount of planning and preparation for this event – and this will start in earnest over the next six months.
USA
In May, the BLACKCAPS played in the first-ever international cricket series staged in the USA with two T20 games against the Sri Lankans. Although there was plenty of room for improvement – especially the standard of the wicket – it highlighted the real potential to grow cricket within the United States. The USA is the world’s third highest consumer of cricket content over the internet (after India and England) and already has over 20,000 registered players. NZC is looking to progress a long-term partnership with USA Cricket, with great benefits to both countries.
Zimbabwe
Earlier in the winter we received a visit from the Zimbabwean Sports Minister, David Coltart, who wished to discuss New Zealand resuming cricketing links with his country. There are real signs that cricket is doing well in Zimbabwe at the present time, which is good for the game – and some of the more pressing health and safety concerns related to Zimbabwe appear to have faded. The BLACKCAPS are due to visit Zimbabwe next year and at the current time (with the blessing of our government) we are committed to this tour. You may not like the politics of their country, but Zimbabwe remains a full member of the ICC and we are obliged to include them in our playing calendar.
New Faces
It is great to welcome some new faces to the organisation.
Dave Mills has started as NZC’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following a successful stint with Meridian Energy. Dave was a former New Zealand hockey international and also captained the New Zealand
Under-19 cricket team. He is a really important member of NZC’s Leadership Team and is already a stand-out contributor.
We also welcome Trent Woodhill as the BLACKCAPS’ performance analyst and fielding coach. Trent comes to NZC after great success with NSW and the Delhi Daredevils IPL team.
Regional Forums
Last year we instigated Regional Forums, a new communication vehicle, where the Leadership Team of NZC visited each Major Association on a national roadshow to communicate the performance and future priorities of New Zealand Cricket. The Forums last year were a great success and really well received. This year’s Forums will take place as follows:
- NZC – Christchurch (Hereford St) – August 5, 3.30pm
- Central Districts – Napier – August 10
- Auckland – August 11
- Northern Districts – Hamilton – August 12
- Wellington – August 23
- Otago – Dunedin – August 25
- Canterbury – Christchurch – August 31
It would be great to see you at the Forum nearest you – everyone involved in cricket in New Zealand is invited. If you require further details of your local event please contact Rachelle George at http://www.blackcaps.co.nzmailto:rgeorge@nzcricket.org.nz.
ICC Vice President
On Friday of last week we reached agreement with Cricket Australia to jointly nominate Alan Isaac, the current Chairman of NZC, for the position of ICC Vice President. This nomination is the conclusion of a process which originally saw the Board of ICC reject our joint nomination of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Alan has served New Zealand Cricket greatly, having been on the Board of NZC since 1990 – and assumed the Chairmanship in 2008. He has great depth and knowledge in the game – as a player, selector, administrator as well as Director – and these attributes are coupled with his significant achievements in the business world, where he was previously Chairman of KPMG and now acts as a Professional Director and corporate advisor.
I know Alan will tackle the inevitable challenges that lie ahead with his role at ICC with great commitment, integrity and sound judgment – all the attributes he has shown during his time with New Zealand Cricket.
Assuming ICC approves his nomination, Alan will serve as Vice President for the next two years before becoming ICC President in 2012 for a two-year term. He will be the first Kiwi to hold this position, the most senior in world cricket.
Best wishes – and yours in cricket,
Justin Vaughan
Chief Executive
New Zealand Cricket
