KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's test status might have plunged to the depths of the woeful Windies but don't expect domestic cricket to increase its first-class programme in response. Instead there will almost certainly be an increase in the State Twenty20 from 2009-10 onwards.
This cart-before-horse approach will take place despite the latest Players Association survey revealing that 81 per cent of players felt it was a priority for the four-day State Championship to return to two rounds - 10 matches up from its current eight.
According to Assocation boss Heath Mills, it is a dollars before sense approach.
Riding the crest of the Twenty20 wave is undoubtedly de rigeur as billions of third-party dollars are being poured into the sport via the shortened format.
The IPL and ICL in India are built upon the chequebooks of private backers, and Texas billionaire Allen Stanford is throwing silly money at the West Indies and England for a series of Twenty20 matches - something New Zealand Cricket has hopes of piggy-backing on.
However, there is an uncomfortable sense, particularly after a woeful test return against England, that New Zealand is neglecting the highest form of the game. More first-class cricket would be a logical step towards better preparing New Zealanders for the unique pressures of test cricket and the players have recognised that.
The survey review stated: "In terms of the domestic programme, the rejigged Twenty20 series was popular with 89 per cent agreeing the concentrated window for the domestic Twenty20 series was a good move... However, 81 per cent of players felt it was a priority for the State Championship to return to 10 rounds. This demonstrates the players' recognition of the first-class competition as a critical element in the development of New Zealand cricketers."
However, major association chiefs are understood to be reluctant to squeeze any more first-class fixtures into the calendar.
The Herald on Sunday talked to Otago's Ross Dykes and David Cooper of Northern Districts and both expressed doubt that there was time in the calendar to play more first-class cricket.
"Domestically we don't have a lot of opportunity to make money from the gates and Twenty20 provides us with that opportunity," Dykes said. "Four-day cricket is important but it comes down to how much cricket you can play in a season. It's a time factor more than anything else."
Dykes said it seemed inevitable that more Twenty20 matches would be scheduled. "We've got to be careful because it's a new toy. But the public have responded to it and more importantly, the kids have responded to it."
While Dykes said in an ideal world there would be 10 rounds of first-class cricket but the "balance was not too bad now".
Cooper echoed Dykes' thoughts, saying while it was desirable to have more Twenty20 for financial reasons, administrators needed to take a step back and observe the way the cricket world was changing before rushing into making any decisions.
Mills, however, would like to see more will on the part of the major associations to increase the number of first-class matches played in a season.
"I find it interesting that we have this trenchant criticism of our test cricket and are told we need to develop more test cricketers yet we are reluctant to take this step. As we've seen from administrators around the world there is a rush to cash in on Twenty20 cricket at the expense of all other forms," Mills said.
"Balance is the most important thing. It's critical we grow the State Championship to two full rounds as soon as possible. Long-form cricket has never been a cash cow - that should never be the priority in making decisions in a high performance sporting environment and we need to be careful we do not neglect growth opportunities in four-day cricket by not valuing the critical role it has... in developing our players."
Mills said excuses that the weather prevented extending the season no longer washed, with it possible to start the season earlier and finish later as long as sensible venues, like Christchurch, Hawke's Bay and Central Otago were chosen for the early rounds. Given the recent broadcast deal completed by NZC, funding should not be the problem it once was.
