I love all forms of cricket, particularly the Test match variety. I am a loyal Australian but I want most of all to see a close contest between two teams with both bat and ball.
For example, few would argue that the 2005 Ashes series was much better than the 2007 whitewash. My ideal Test match would end in the middle session of the fifth day with a close result (with Australia winning of course).
Australian cricket has benefited from having the strongest domestic cricket competition in the world. The Sheffield Shield is a tough competition and prepares players for the even tougher environment that is international cricket.
When Australian cricketers step up to Test level they are, mostly, ready for it.
An often heard lament in New Zealand cricket circles is that the gap between domestic cricket and Test cricket is just too wide for all but the best players to cross. This is true both technically but also in the mental side of the game.
There have been many players who have made the leap, Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor recently and the likes of Hadlee and Crowe going back a few years. But it seems you have to be top class and world class to make it.
Many other promising young players with great potential have just been chewed up and spat out of the international scene before they have even had a chance. Just like the wicket at the Bellerive Oval, they are too green and under-prepared.
New Zealand cricket has missed a golden opportunity in not joining the Big Bash League. Three teams, i.e. Northern, Central and Southern could have been formed with the emphasis on young local players, playing alongside a couple of senior New Zealand and international stars.
Think of the potential for player development and just look at the player development India has reaped from the IPL.
New Zealand cricket has also missed out on the financial benefits of Twenty20 cricket. I just cannot see the critical mass for the emergence of a New Zealand Premier League. And whist I wish them luck and great success, I cannot see the USA League taking off either.
There are plenty of examples from other sports of domestic competitions joining together to make their games better. For instance Super Rugby and the UEFA Champions League.
Another great example is the ANZ Netball Championship. In netball, the two most dominant nations have joined together and taken their sport to a whole new level. You only have to watch these games to see just how tough this competition is.
Perhaps there is still the opportunity for teams from New Zealand to join the Big Bash League? Who knows where the T20 game will be in a few years time, given the changing nature of cricket.
If New Zealand teams were to join the Australian competition, then perhaps this would lead to them also joining the Sheffield Shield.
Again three teams would seem about right to me. This of course should not replace the district competition in NZ. It should be a stepping stone for those young players with potential (and there are plenty of them) to develop their game.
To make the step from amateur to professional. To make the step from domestic to Test level.
Australians love nothing more than to beat up their little brothers from across the ditch. And New Zealanders enjoying sticking it to their Aussie big brothers too.
But unlike other international examples, the rivalry has usually been a well natured one. Perhaps it is time to show some brotherly love and follow the compelling example of our netballing sisters.
Tway
Guest
How bout Auckland-ND CD-Wellington and Cantab-Otago join in a super rugby style and entre the shield. NZ T20 is as good as Aus anyway and our 1 day team aint to bad. So we play these teams while our own comp still runs. There is enough young players to do it
Get A Grip On Reality
Guest
I think two NZ teams should join the Shield. It makes so much sense that these players should be playing high level, tough four day games week in week out to develop themselves for Test matches. I know you suggested three teams, and that may be right, but I would like to see just two of them. The best 22 NZ players competing and preparing, which with natural attrition may include the best 30 players anyway. If NZ wants to remain in any way a competitive Test nation, this has to be put in place.
svencore
Guest
NZC will benefit greatly in the test arena by joining your T20 league? dont think so champ. How bout you guys man up and let us join your 4 day domestic competition? or is there concern that it'll end up like the Breakers, the Phoenix and the Warriors with competitive NZ teams? And besides, you owe us one, we let you play netball with us and now you guys arnt so shabby.
Pogo
Guest
"New Zealand cricket has also missed out on the financial benefits of Twenty20 cricket. I just cannot see the critical mass for the emergence of a New Zealand Premier League." I don't know about that, the HRV draws fair crowds by NZ cricket standards, better than the other domestic competitions. I think you have to factor in that cricket is not as popular as it is in Australia and that we have the population of Melbourne spread over the whole country.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Never in a million years would CA compromise the highly successful Big Bash League to give New Zealand cricket a leg up. Nor should they have to. They've had their good times before and they've not been a result of Australia helping them by including them in T20 cricket. Their time will come again.
Mate, that is a bit of an one eyed view. You should talk to your rugby mates, and they'll tell you how much NZ are doing to help Australian Rugby Union.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Timing would be an issue, but the NZ internatonal season usually starts later than the Australian one. They might be able to fit such games in before their international summer so that players would be available. For example, they might fit one or two games between their Sri Lankan and South African tours this summer. It might not always be possible to ensure they were available, but be a goal in scheduling.
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Timmuh, I like your idea of a North vs South series but when are test players available. If they are not playing in a test series they are playing T20 somewhere. Whilst I agree that T20 cricket does not necessarily prepare players for the test match scene I think joining the BBL would be a good step toward joining the Sheffield Shield. That is were the players can really develop.
Tony
Guest
Something needs to be done to bring the crowds back to NZ domestic cricket. Three teams in the Big Bash league would be just the trick... The Northern Nickers The Central Stranglers The Southern Swingers
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Having BBL teams might help them financially, but T20 does not help a player technically outside the skills of T20 itself. Far from it, it can be detrimental to both technique and mentality required in the long game. Maybe NZ could look at other internal options to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket. These are without knowing NZ well or thinking too deeply, so may not work: - A 3 match series of north island v south island, at a time when Test players are available. The next tier get to play in a Test-style series with the same oppsition for a few games and alongside the Test players. A higher level of play, experience of a series, and the proven hard-nosed cricketers to play with and against. Plus, an ideal opportunity for players and selectors. Being a series, the teams also can work as a team whoich does not always happen with one-off matches such as the ill-fated World team which came to Australa a few years back. - More "A" team tours, both of other test nations to play first class and "A" teams and to leading Associates and Affiliates, assisting not just NZ but also the likes of Ireland (all Test nations should be sending first class teams to such developing nations, and hosting tours by those nations but that is another thing entirely)
Bludger
Guest
Your proposal suggests giving NZ cricket a big leg up at potentially our own expense. Not really any gain financially in it for Australia. The NZ dollar is weak and attendances there are tiny. NZ seems to be doing okay as it is, so leave it alone.