\u201cWe are deeply concerned about the origin of any messaging that has the potential to undermine the reputation of cricket and cricket governance in New Zealand,\u201d the letter states. <\/p>\n
A consortium has approached New Zealand Cricket proposing a revamped T20 league. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The letter appears to be an attempt to repair damaging remarks about a proposed new Twenty20 (T20)<\/a> league in New Zealand called NZ20 that would be partially bankrolled by private investors. <\/p>\n The Herald sought clarity from Puketapu-Lyndon about why she felt sending such a strongly worded letter to Shah was necessary. <\/p>\n She did not comment, but NZC\u2019s public affairs manager Richard Boock said the letter was written in response to an article in Stuff which quoted a \u201csenior source close to NZC\u201d calling the NZ20 a \u201crebel league\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cNZC wrote to the ICC to clarify that NZC did not view the proposed league in these terms,\u201d Boock told the Herald.<\/p>\n However, the details in the letter go a lot further than simply dismissing a claim of a \u201crebel league\u201d in a single news article. <\/p>\n The letter also doesn\u2019t refer to the content of the article at any stage as the reason the letter was written. <\/p>\n The letter begins with the heading \u201cPlayer Coup\/NZ20\u201d and states \u201cthe players have not taken over cricket in New Zealand\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWorld Cricketers Association is \u2018not coming for us\u2019. There is no hostile takeover.\u201d<\/p>\n The letter also sought to reassure Shah over perceived conflicts of interest and emphasised that New Zealand was a small country and all conflicts, \u201cwhether perceived or real\u201d, are managed. <\/p>\n \u201cThis has been the case with the NZ20 opportunity. We take governance very seriously and uphold the highest professional standards,\u201d the letter said. <\/p>\n It said the six Major Associations \u2013 the bodies that represent cricket at a regional level \u2013 consist of independent directors who are appointed following a \u201crigorous selection process\u201d. <\/p>\n Boock said the reference to conflicts was about ensuring the ICC knew NZC was running a fair process while considering the NZ20 proposal. <\/p>\n NZC CEO Scott Weenink spoke during the ICC\u2019s Chief Executive Council (CEC) meeting via video link on November 7. <\/p>\n The Herald had been told the NZC board asked Weenink not to attend the meeting in person, but Boock said this was by mutual agreement between him and Puketapu Lyndon given that particular meeting [the CEC meeting] only lasted half a day.<\/p>\n \u201cScott and Diana agreed that Scott was better spending time in New Zealand and joining the meetings remotely, particularly given our AGM was only a few days away,\u201d Boock said.<\/p>\n Weenink said he was happy to speak to the Herald but wasn\u2019t available for an interview this week. <\/p>\n Twose was in Dubai and attended board meetings and part of the CEC meeting that Weenick beamed into. <\/p>\n However, Twose, who signed the letter that was sent to Shah, only presented the findings of the ICC future of cricket working group and then left the meeting \u201cas he is not part of the [CEC] group\u201d, Boock said. <\/p>\n Boock said he was \u201cabsolutely\u201d satisfied that any views expressed by NZC representatives at the Dubai meetings aligned with the views of the board.<\/p>\n The push for a new NZ cricket league<\/p>\n T20 \u2013 a shorter, more exciting version of the sport \u2013 has revitalised interest in cricket globally and the letter said a proposed NZ20 league would \u201crevamp\u201d New Zealand\u2019s current Super Smash T20 competition<\/a> at a time when \u201ctraditional avenues for funding are under pressure\u201d. <\/p>\n The letter said the concept could \u201cpotentially\u201d involve investment by offshore and domestic private equity, franchises and a small allocation for players. <\/p>\n \u201cOwnership of the league is potentially as follows: 50% private investor, 25% Major Associations, 20% franchises and 5% NZ players,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n New Zealand is the only cricket-mad nation that doesn\u2019t have a franchise model for the T20 competition. <\/p>\n \u201cThe concept is similar to the Caribbean Premier League and is envisioned as a boutique, city-based cricket festival in New Zealand, centred on fans, tourism, and trade, particularly in respect of strengthening a strategic partnership between India and New Zealand,\u201d the letter said. <\/p>\n The letter makes it clear that the NZ20 concept is being considered by NZC alongside other options, including New Zealand entering a team in Australia\u2019s T20 competition, the Big Bash League. <\/p>\n \u201cNo director holds a predetermined position on NZ20 or the Big Bash League,\u201d the letter said. <\/p>\n The letter concluded by noting its contents should be considered the \u201cdefinitive source of truth\u201d. <\/p>\nDiana Puketapu-Lyndon. Photo \/ NZ Cricket<\/p>\n
Scott Weenink is New Zealand Cricket’s CEO. Photo \/ Alan Lee, Photosport<\/p>\n
Roger Twose is New Zealand Cricket’s ICC representative. Photo \/ Greg Bowker<\/p>\n
The Central Stags in triumphant mood winning the Super Smash Twenty20 final last summer. Photo \/ Margot Butcher<\/p>\n