Archive · 7 Oct 2026
New Zealand Cricket Defends NZ20 Choice After Big Bash Criticism
New Zealand Cricket decided to create a new domestic T20 competition called NZ20.
It said the decision was based on four expert reports, feedback from cricket groups and its own review.
One report suggested looking more closely at joining Australia’s Big Bash League, but it also said both choices should be considered.
The six Major Associations and the players’ group supported NZ20.
The board voted unanimously for the new competition.
Some former cricket leaders criticized the process and said there was not enough openness.
NZC’s chair agreed that the organization should have explained its decision better.
The six-team tournament has been delayed until the 2027-28 home season to allow more time to establish it and fit the international schedule.
New Zealand Cricket said its decision followed four expert reports, stakeholder feedback and the board’s own due diligence.
The Deloitte report favored further exploration of joining Australia’s Big Bash League for financial and governance reasons, but encouraged considering both options.
Feedback from the six Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association supported creating NZ20.
The board voted unanimously, 7-0, for NZ20 as its preferred domestic T20 option.
The planned six-team competition was postponed until the 2027-28 home season; chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged NZC should have communicated the decision better.
- Who
- New Zealand Cricket, led by chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, made the decision; the board voted for NZ20.
- What
- NZC defended its decision to establish a six-team domestic T20 competition instead of pursuing a New Zealand team in Australia’s Big Bash League.
- When
- NZC addressed the criticism on Wednesday; the competition is now planned for the 2027-28 home season.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- NZC said its decision reflected four expert reports, stakeholder feedback and board due diligence; the tournament delay is intended to allow more time for establishment and accommodate the international schedule.
NZ20 Supporters
Critics and Big Bash Option
Choice of domestic T20 model
NZ20 Supporters
NZC’s board unanimously chose NZ20, supported by feedback from the Major Associations and players’ association.
Critics and Big Bash Option
The Deloitte report favored further exploring a New Zealand team joining the Big Bash League, citing financial and governance reasons.
Transparency of the decision
NZ20 Supporters
NZC said it considered four expert reports, stakeholder feedback and its own due diligence.
Critics and Big Bash Option
Richard Hadlee and Lesley Murdoch criticized the process as lacking transparency and objected to NZC not sharing the Deloitte report; the report will remain confidential.
- New competition
- NZ20, a planned six-team domestic T20 competition
- Board vote
- Unanimous, 7-0, in favor of NZ20
- Expert reports
- Four reports were considered, including Deloitte’s
- Deloitte report
- Favored further exploring the Big Bash opportunity for financial and governance reasons, while encouraging consideration of both options
- Stakeholder feedback
- The six Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association supported NZ20
- Launch timing
- Postponed until the 2027-28 home season
- Transparency
- Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged NZC should have better explained its decision