Cricket: Midday start to tests on cards

By Richard Boock

Test cricket is set to start at midday this year if the touring West Indies squad agree.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Chris Doig said there was an opportunity to better position the five-day game for its market by starting an hour later and finishing around 7pm.

In his annual pre-season briefing in Auckland yesterday, Doig said the small change could make a significant difference to the way test cricket was supported in New Zealand, as a lot more people could attend the last one or two sessions of the day's play.

"We're still waiting for the West Indies to sign off on this idea, but we're hopeful they'll go along with it," he said. "It simply makes things a bit easier for those working people who might want to catch some of the action."

The West Indies are due to arrive in New Zealand on December 1, and will play two tests within the month followed by five one-day inter-nationals.

Australia arrive on February 14 for three tests and six ODIs Doig said the time change would not apply for the Australian tour because of the switch in daylight saving hours, the later time in the year, and the convenience to TV3, who will screen the tests and last three ODIs live in association with the principal broadcaster, Sky Television.

"By that stage TV3 will also be involved so it naturally helps them if we can wrap up the day's play before the 6pm news.

Recently returned from an International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai, Doig acknowledged the emphasis on New Zealand's international schedule had impacted on the status of domestic cricket, but promised there was relief in sight for the country's first-class compe-tition.

"Domestic cricket has taken a knock, we have to be honest," he said. "Ideally, I think everyone supports the idea of two full rounds of Shell Trophy play, but the problem has always been funding.

"Shell Trophy cricket gives us nothing and costs a great deal. In contrast, because of our burgeoning international programme we've increased our annual turnover from $7 million to $21 million in two-and-a-half years, so there's been some fairly compelling reasons for what we've done.

"But we've now found the funding for a more comprehensive first-class programme, and we're confident we can improve that competition.

"We have to, because if it wasn't for the North Island v South Island and the England A games, a young cricketer wouldn't get to play a first-class game this season until mid-February. And that's not accept-able."

Doig confirmed that Pakistan and Sri Lanka would tour in the 2000-2001 season, after New Zealand returned from a tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa spanning three months.

Pakistan are scheduled to play three tests and five ODIs, while Sri Lanka will play just five ODIs in early February, 2001.