Cricket: Cricket in cover drive to back-up top players

By Terry Maddaford

The first ball of the 1999-2000 Shell Trophy season has yet to be bowled but there are already concerns over the future of New Zealand domestic cricket.

In an ideal world, the six associations would play a double round of four-day Shell Trophy matches.

But the cost, $1.8 million, means that might remain a forlorn dream.

New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid said professionalism was the fundamental question in trying to find a balanced season.

"We have to decide whether we can afford to be professional or whether we can afford not to be professional.

"On the one hand we have to pay players - around $1000 for every Shell Trophy game and $500 for Shell Cup games - but in doing that we are taking people out of work. We have to ask ourselves, and the players, is this in the best interests of the game and all those involved."

As one example, Otago players Aaron Gale and Karl O'Dowda are unavailable for the trophy match against Canterbury because of work commitments.

In April-May each year New Zealand Cricket begin a series of meetings with association chief executives, coaching directors, umpires and other interested parties.

"Obviously we are aware of the gap between club and first-class cricket and how we can close that," said Reid. "But this is just one of the issues we need to look at."

Without first-class cricket there are concerns that if a player such as Adam Parore was forced out of the test side his replacement, likely to be Gareth Hopkins or Martyn Croy, would have to go in cold.

A more balanced programme would mean players below the international side would at least be better prepared for the demands of playing at the highest level.

With no scheduled tour by an "A" side next summer there could be a void in the early part of the season which may open the way for a return to the old trophy-cup mix with the first-class game (three or four days) followed by a one-day cup game at the same venue.

In another proposed change, the new intake at the cricket academy might include some returning for a refresher course.

The dramatic fall-off in interest in the Shell Cup this summer will also be a discussion point.

Next summer there will be a full (February-March) tour by Pakistan. A Boxing Day test against Zimbabwe is proposed and some one-day internationals are also planned.

The Black Caps will be in Africa before that for the ICC tournament in Kenya followed by matches in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

All six teams will be in trophy action today with most interest centred on Matt Horne's return to cricket after a hand injury.

Horne heads a strong Otago line-up for the match at QEII Park where he will open the batting with Andrew Hore.

Richard Petrie will captain Wellington in the absence of injured Chris Nevin in their game against Auckland at Eden Park. Auckland have included young opening batsman Tim McIntosh, former international pace bowler Kerry Walmsley and wicketkeeper Reece Young while Shell Cup star Andre Adams has been dropped.