Cricket: Safe pair of hands in times of crisis

Martin Snedden's all-too-often-gloomy demeanour has turned his four children away from watching their father on television.

They contend, with justification, that any time he is beamed to the nation he looks sad.

Hardly surprising when looking at the issues he has grappled with since slipping his feet under the desk as New Zealand Cricket's chief executive on July 31, 2001.

Having to deal with terrorist attacks, a players' strike, bomb blasts, September 11 and now the enormity of the tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia have tested Snedden's crisis-management skills.

Most agree he has passed the litmus tests with passion and understanding.

Feet up and looking over Lake Taupo from his holiday retreat, Snedden is poignantly reflective.

"It is a job you don't get away from," said Snedden. "We come up here [from New Zealand Cricket's head office in Christchurch] in December with the intention of staying a month."

It does not always work out that way.

Earlier this week, he drove to Napier for two days of soul-searching talks with the Sri Lankans, eventually going along with their request to abandon the tour.

At other times the pressure has been just as intense and a far cry from what the 46-year-old former lawyer expected when he succeeded Chris Doig in the top job.

"But," he insists with genuine enthusiasm, "it is a challenge I enjoy."

When he ticks off the various calamities he has met, and beaten, one must wonder why.

On his first day in the new job he released the home itinerary for the forthcoming England tour.

Within hours his diplomatic skills were called on to placate Northern Districts chief executive John Turkington who wanted to know why they had been overlooked as a test venue.

"Not much later it got worse. I had been in the job only a couple of months when the events of September 11 unfolded," said Snedden. "The Black Caps were in Singapore en route to Pakistan.

"It was quickly apparent Afghanistan was going to be a target with the US likely to launch any attack from Pakistan.

"We had to make a decision. A day later they were told to come home. I kept the ICC informed. Pakistan were not happy."

New Zealand eventually went back to Pakistan in April 2002 but again found themselves on their way home early.

A bomb blast outside their Karachi hotel blew windows from their team bus and left bodies in the street.

"It took me one hour to make the decision they should come home," said Snedden. "Pakistan tried to convince us to stay but I could not afford to waste time going through the process with the ICC.

"The players were so traumatised. Pakistan took a claim against us to the ICC but they backed us." Early October 2002 and Snedden was again pitched into the headlines as he and the newly formed Cricket Players Association squared off over money and contracts.

"I was informed by Roger Twose they were setting up an association. I agreed at the time and I still think it was a great idea.

"I was very quickly aware all the players had bought into the idea," said Snedden. "For a period of about five weeks it was pretty emotional. At times the players saw me as the ogre.

"The media and the public were behind New Zealand Cricket. In the end the issue was resolved and created a more professional environment."

Players now receive 23.92 per cent of the "pot" - money poured into the game from television, ICC handouts and sponsorship.

Within a month Snedden was faced with issues of safety and security for their February 2003 World Cup match in Kenya when a terrorist attack rocked Mombassa.

"Western countries were warned against travelling to Kenya but the ICC insisted we should go. We didn't - a decision which probably cost us a place in the semifinals - and led to a long delay in receiving our ICC pay out."

The Black Caps were back on the subcontinent late last year for a tour of India followed by five ODIs in Pakistan, as agreed.

Three days before the scheduled end of the Indian tour two death threats aimed at the New Zealand team were received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Effectively, we were told if we turned up in Pakistan during the month of Ramadan 'we will slaughter you'," said Snedden.

"We went to the Pakistan board and the ICC and brought the players home but agreed to return a few days later after Ramadan had ended.

"Four players who had been in India were carrying injuries and did not return.

"Three others, without recrimination, opted out, giving other players, including Hamish Marshall, their chance."

Apart from the "disastrous results" in the test series in England, Snedden had been looking back on a reasonable 2004 until, not long after New Zealand had beaten Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day ODI at Eden Park he was advised "of a problem".

His holiday peace shattered, Snedden was quickly back into damage control mode, eventually agreeing to a solution which he is sure has, and will, continue to find favour with everyone.

Now, as the New Year kicks in, he must wonder what 2005 holds.

Few would, surely, question his ability to deal with whatever curve ball comes his way.

Martin Snedden

Born: Auckland, November 23 1958.

Family: Wife Annie, children Lucy (16), Steffi (15), Michael (12), Ella (10).

Education: Rosmini College, Otago University (law school).

Occupation: Lawyer; chief executive NZ Cricket.

Played for: North Shore, Albion (Dunedin), Auckland, New Zealand.

Tests: 25

ODIs: 93.