Cricket: Twenty20 competition expanded

Twenty20 cricket fans have reason to smile with confirmation the domestic competition has been expanded by an extra round.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed today the upcoming season will feature more matches when it commences on January 11 with the final being staged on February 3.

After introducing a single round this year, NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said its success warranted further matches.

"The inaugural domestic Twenty20 cricket competition was popular and brought crowds back to the domestic game. We expect next year's competition to build on that success," Snedden said.

The one-day State Shield competition begins on December 23 with the final on February 10, while the State Championship four-day competition starts in mid-November,

- NZPA