November 30, 2024 • 11 mins
England will be chasing 104 runs to beat New Zealand in the opening cricket test in Christchurch.
A six-wicket haul for paceman Brydon Carse has helped bowl the Black Caps out for 254 in their second innings - Daryl Mitchell top scoring with 84.
NZ Cricket head Scott Weenink joins Smithy to recap the match.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good crowding at least in christ yet for today weather
looks pretty good, but you suspect that they won't be
entertained by the prospect of a black Caps defeat in
this opening Test at Hagley Oval. Tenth after midday, let's
take you to the boss of New Zealand Cricket. Scott
Weenick joins the program. Scott, good afternoon, Thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Good afternoon, thanks having me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well, look, the Test at the moment, let's say, coming
to a probable conclusion in the coming hours, hasn't really
been the black Caps Test to this point, has it?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
No, not a deal. I think we're taking a few
more catch and you know we were to be well
on top. But I guess that's that's cricket, unfortunately it is.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Indeed, look, I suppose that's the consistency that you look
for an international cricket just come off the back of
a three mil series win in India and then perhaps
the highs and lows of national sport come back to
earth with a bit of a thud.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah exactly. No, you know we're obviously, you know, New
Zealand cricket is an incredible spot at the moment and
it's been an incredible period. But as I keep saying
to people, sport is very sickle. Let's enjoy it while
we can because it can all change pretty quickly. But again,
you know, you know, a couple of bad days and
(01:32):
some drop catches doesn't really change the fact that, you know,
the Black Cats and white fans are going pretty well
at the moment.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Indeed, look, not much test cricket coming up on the horizon.
Scott is there in the coming twelve months. I think
two tests are wayne Zimbabwe two against the West Indies,
So the next three weeks you better savior. If you're
a test cricket fan. What's the rationale behind that? I
know the future Tours program is something that the ICC
obviously dictates, but for test cricket fans this is it
(02:01):
for a while.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Yeah, it is those. I mean the program put in
place years in a bunt. We are currently working on
adding some test cricket to the calendar for next year.
We've certainly got at least one test extra test confirmed
which will be announcing shortly, and we're looking and we
(02:25):
are looking at another couple of options as well, So
we are doing our best to try and you know,
bring some more test cricket to New Zealand cricket fans
over the next felve months if we can. Unfortunately, that's
just the reality that you know, everyone has very very
tight schedules and it's just about trying to find space.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Is that something you've done proactively, Scott, you'd have looked
at the calendar and gone krikey, we don't have much
test cricket. We need to go out and to the market,
to these other test nations and try and put some together.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Yes, it is yep, and normally over Gin and Tonicque
at the ICC we're in, they're trying to work out,
you know, where we can and find some more test cricket.
So yes, we are proactively in terms of the one
that we're that we're going to announce shortly, but we've
also been approached by another country that is keen for
us to play some more test cricket. We just need
(03:18):
to work out how we fit it into our schedule.
So it's not just us that are trying to find
more more you know, more test cricket. I think everyone
around the globe would ideally like to play more. It's
just really it's a very very congested schedule, particularly with
all the domestic T twenty legs.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Indeed, in finding that window must be to play these
extra games must be incredibly tough. But you look at
these crowds in christ Church and are the base and
reserves selling well as well for the second Test? You
must go there is still life and Test cricket despite
some of the doomsayers out there.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Absolutely yep. You know New Zealand cricket fans love Test cricket,
our players love Test cricket. It's really about trying to find,
you know, where we can fit them into the schedule.
You know, otherwise we would play a lot more.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
How do you capitalize on that tour success in Indie?
Obviously straight back into another series, but do you take
a step back and go that was three nil in
India very rarely happens, hasn't happened for the black Caps
in history? How do we capitalize it? As part of that,
I suppose playing those more Test cricket games and other
nations wanting to play you more often.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, that's part of it is, you know, taking the
opportunity while you know, the New Zealand Cricket brand and
the Black Caps brand is running hot, is to try
and lock in more games in terms of sort of
fan engagement, you know, both across the Black Caps and
the White fans. You know, because are performing so well,
there's been a noticeable lift in interest across New Zealand
(04:52):
and actually not just across New Zealand, but also globally.
You know, Indian cricket fans absolutely love New Zealand cricket,
even even though we beat them recently, and so that's
an area where we're really trying to push Harden too
as well, you know, and doing there the rest of
the globe to really generate fan engagement and fan interest
(05:14):
in the New Zealand cricket brand.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Gary Steed's contracted through to the middle of next year.
If you had any preliminary discussions with Gary about future plans,
we just.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Wanted to get through this summer. But we'll certainly sit
down with Gary at the appropriate time and then talk
about what his plans are. Yes, his contract comes to
an end sort of mid next year, which sort of
coincides with the end of that World Test Championship cycle.
So you know, we'll go through a process, but a
(05:44):
lot of that will depend on what Gary wants to do.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
You've been in the job for about a year now, Scott.
What are the biggest challenges you think that are facing
will cricket and New Zealand cricket At the moment, the.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Biggest challenge continues to be both the congested and you'll
window cricket and you know, and that comes about through
more and more domestic T twenty leagues popping up, so
there's a huge demand on our players and there's just
(06:18):
just a you know, more and more challenging schedule to
try and fit games, and so they are probably the
two biggest challenges. You know, we we want our players
to make as much money and what is a short career,
but also ensure that they played for New Zealand for
as long and as often as possible. So that's a
(06:40):
really really difficult balancing act that we that we have,
but you know, there is a lot of good will
and we work very very closely with the players themselves
around that. So that's probably the biggest challenge. Cricket itself
is absolutely booming globally. You know, it's the second largest
sport and I think the fastest growing sports still. We've
(07:02):
just got to really try and take advante into that
while trying to sort of navigate all these nig league
issues around you know, I congested schedule.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Did you feel like yourself and the ic C making
progress on that front in terms of you know, the
franchise leagues because it feels like a but like wacka mole,
if you know, they just new ones keep popping up
week to week around around the globe.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, I'd be. One of the biggest challenges is, you know,
the ic C is as a member organization, so it
you know, unfortunately it doesn't have the influence that it
should or could have in terms of actually managing you know,
the cricketing window. So that's a real challenge. I think
(07:44):
the ic C is doing its best, you know, and
perhaps with a with and you know, look, Greg Barklay
does an amazing job as chair, but perhaps with the
new chair from b c C I who might be
able to influence things a little more, they might be
able to gain a little bit more control and have
a little bit more influence around you know, the the
cricket schedule. But it is the main challenge is the
(08:08):
ICC is a membernation and so it can't actually dictate
things to countries.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Scott when with us the boss of New Zealand Cricket,
the contracting model obviously is very different to perhaps that
the life that came in. So with the leagues that
we're discussing in New Zealand Cricket reconsidering or looking at
maybe the contracting model for players. Given you know, players
have opted out of those central contracts and taken casual
(08:34):
ones up. Is there a change that needs to be
made there?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean the current contracting model is for purpose
for now. You know, we provide a lot of flexibility
around that to try and ensure that our players play
for us for as long and as often as possible,
well so taking advantage of these domestic T twenty league opportunities.
But you know, the cricketing world is changing rapidly and
(09:01):
we need to just continue to be very pragmatic and
very flexible and so we all just continue to work
with our players to work out what is the best
model for New Zealand Cricket and for our players going forward.
You know, if we need to change and that's what
the players want, then you know, we'll sit down and
talk to them about that and work out you know
(09:23):
what that means. There is a lot to it. So
if there is to be a change, then you know
that there have to be a lot of things going
into it. But we're certainly, you know, always prepared to
have those discussions and try to continue to look at
what is best for our players as well as what's
the best in m Zealand.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Cricket and Scott was intrigued by this announcement a day
or so ago. Hall of Fame New Zealand Crickets launching
at the Base and Reserve Test eleven to be inaugurated
posts to World War Two players, men and women. Look,
this is an exciting concept. How did it come about?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Yeah, again, we you know, we're always thinking about bays
that we can engage our fans, you know, and and
bring about new fans while also you know, reflecting on
our history and ensuring that our past players are properly
honored and their stories are told. The Hall of Fame
(10:24):
concept initially came up to an idea from the Cricket
Planers Association. So it's actually it's a it's a group,
it's a tripathide arrangement between ourselves with Cricket Players Association
and the Cricket Museum. And really, you know, we see
it as an idea, an opportunity to honor those who
performed so well for New Zealand while also you know,
(10:47):
trying to engage a new set of fans around you know,
our history.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, it's fantastic concept. Look forward to seeing the eleven
names announced in the first induction later on this week. Scott,
thank you very much for your time canvassing all those issues.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Appreciate it, my pleasure. Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
That is Scott winning the Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket.
Across the range of issues, I liked the concept of
more test cricket in twenty twenty four or five. I
looked at the calendar this morning the future tours program.
Two against Zimbabwe midyear, two against the West Indies on
home at the end of the year. That's it for
(11:26):
the summer, by the way, next summer just two tests
on home soil. But as you heard Scott revealed, there
a few more tests or maybe one or two more
tests at least, something more potentially on the calendar for
next season.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Good crowding at least in christ yet for today weather
looks pretty good, but you suspect that they won't be
entertained by the prospect of a black Caps defeat in
this opening Test at Hagley Oval. Tenth after midday, let's
take you to the boss of New Zealand Cricket. Scott
Weenick joins the program. Scott, good afternoon, Thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Good afternoon, thanks having me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well, look, the Test at the moment, let's say, coming
to a probable conclusion in the coming hours, hasn't really
been the black Caps Test to this point, has it?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
No, not a deal. I think we're taking a few
more catch and you know we were to be well
on top. But I guess that's that's cricket, unfortunately it is.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Indeed, look, I suppose that's the consistency that you look
for an international cricket just come off the back of
a three mil series win in India and then perhaps
the highs and lows of national sport come back to
earth with a bit of a thud.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah exactly. No, you know we're obviously, you know, New
Zealand cricket is an incredible spot at the moment and
it's been an incredible period. But as I keep saying
to people, sport is very sickle. Let's enjoy it while
we can because it can all change pretty quickly. But again,
you know, you know, a couple of bad days and
(01:32):
some drop catches doesn't really change the fact that, you know,
the Black Cats and white fans are going pretty well
at the moment.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Indeed, look, not much test cricket coming up on the horizon.
Scott is there in the coming twelve months. I think
two tests are wayne Zimbabwe two against the West Indies,
So the next three weeks you better savior. If you're
a test cricket fan. What's the rationale behind that? I
know the future Tours program is something that the ICC
obviously dictates, but for test cricket fans this is it
(02:01):
for a while.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Yeah, it is those. I mean the program put in
place years in a bunt. We are currently working on
adding some test cricket to the calendar for next year.
We've certainly got at least one test extra test confirmed
which will be announcing shortly, and we're looking and we
(02:25):
are looking at another couple of options as well, So
we are doing our best to try and you know,
bring some more test cricket to New Zealand cricket fans
over the next felve months if we can. Unfortunately, that's
just the reality that you know, everyone has very very
tight schedules and it's just about trying to find space.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Is that something you've done proactively, Scott, you'd have looked
at the calendar and gone krikey, we don't have much
test cricket. We need to go out and to the market,
to these other test nations and try and put some together.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Yes, it is yep, and normally over Gin and Tonicque
at the ICC we're in, they're trying to work out,
you know, where we can and find some more test cricket.
So yes, we are proactively in terms of the one
that we're that we're going to announce shortly, but we've
also been approached by another country that is keen for
us to play some more test cricket. We just need
(03:18):
to work out how we fit it into our schedule.
So it's not just us that are trying to find
more more you know, more test cricket. I think everyone
around the globe would ideally like to play more. It's
just really it's a very very congested schedule, particularly with
all the domestic T twenty legs.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Indeed, in finding that window must be to play these
extra games must be incredibly tough. But you look at
these crowds in christ Church and are the base and
reserves selling well as well for the second Test? You
must go there is still life and Test cricket despite
some of the doomsayers out there.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Absolutely yep. You know New Zealand cricket fans love Test cricket,
our players love Test cricket. It's really about trying to find,
you know, where we can fit them into the schedule.
You know, otherwise we would play a lot more.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
How do you capitalize on that tour success in Indie?
Obviously straight back into another series, but do you take
a step back and go that was three nil in
India very rarely happens, hasn't happened for the black Caps
in history? How do we capitalize it? As part of that,
I suppose playing those more Test cricket games and other
nations wanting to play you more often.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, that's part of it is, you know, taking the
opportunity while you know, the New Zealand Cricket brand and
the Black Caps brand is running hot, is to try
and lock in more games in terms of sort of
fan engagement, you know, both across the Black Caps and
the White fans. You know, because are performing so well,
there's been a noticeable lift in interest across New Zealand
(04:52):
and actually not just across New Zealand, but also globally.
You know, Indian cricket fans absolutely love New Zealand cricket,
even even though we beat them recently, and so that's
an area where we're really trying to push Harden too
as well, you know, and doing there the rest of
the globe to really generate fan engagement and fan interest
(05:14):
in the New Zealand cricket brand.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Gary Steed's contracted through to the middle of next year.
If you had any preliminary discussions with Gary about future plans,
we just.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Wanted to get through this summer. But we'll certainly sit
down with Gary at the appropriate time and then talk
about what his plans are. Yes, his contract comes to
an end sort of mid next year, which sort of
coincides with the end of that World Test Championship cycle.
So you know, we'll go through a process, but a
(05:44):
lot of that will depend on what Gary wants to do.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
You've been in the job for about a year now, Scott.
What are the biggest challenges you think that are facing
will cricket and New Zealand cricket At the moment, the.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Biggest challenge continues to be both the congested and you'll
window cricket and you know, and that comes about through
more and more domestic T twenty leagues popping up, so
there's a huge demand on our players and there's just
(06:18):
just a you know, more and more challenging schedule to
try and fit games, and so they are probably the
two biggest challenges. You know, we we want our players
to make as much money and what is a short career,
but also ensure that they played for New Zealand for
as long and as often as possible. So that's a
(06:40):
really really difficult balancing act that we that we have,
but you know, there is a lot of good will
and we work very very closely with the players themselves
around that. So that's probably the biggest challenge. Cricket itself
is absolutely booming globally. You know, it's the second largest
sport and I think the fastest growing sports still. We've
(07:02):
just got to really try and take advante into that
while trying to sort of navigate all these nig league
issues around you know, I congested schedule.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Did you feel like yourself and the ic C making
progress on that front in terms of you know, the
franchise leagues because it feels like a but like wacka mole,
if you know, they just new ones keep popping up
week to week around around the globe.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, I'd be. One of the biggest challenges is, you know,
the ic C is as a member organization, so it
you know, unfortunately it doesn't have the influence that it
should or could have in terms of actually managing you know,
the cricketing window. So that's a real challenge. I think
(07:44):
the ic C is doing its best, you know, and
perhaps with a with and you know, look, Greg Barklay
does an amazing job as chair, but perhaps with the
new chair from b c C I who might be
able to influence things a little more, they might be
able to gain a little bit more control and have
a little bit more influence around you know, the the
cricket schedule. But it is the main challenge is the
(08:08):
ICC is a membernation and so it can't actually dictate
things to countries.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Scott when with us the boss of New Zealand Cricket,
the contracting model obviously is very different to perhaps that
the life that came in. So with the leagues that
we're discussing in New Zealand Cricket reconsidering or looking at
maybe the contracting model for players. Given you know, players
have opted out of those central contracts and taken casual
(08:34):
ones up. Is there a change that needs to be
made there?
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean the current contracting model is for purpose
for now. You know, we provide a lot of flexibility
around that to try and ensure that our players play
for us for as long and as often as possible,
well so taking advantage of these domestic T twenty league opportunities.
But you know, the cricketing world is changing rapidly and
(09:01):
we need to just continue to be very pragmatic and
very flexible and so we all just continue to work
with our players to work out what is the best
model for New Zealand Cricket and for our players going forward.
You know, if we need to change and that's what
the players want, then you know, we'll sit down and
talk to them about that and work out you know
(09:23):
what that means. There is a lot to it. So
if there is to be a change, then you know
that there have to be a lot of things going
into it. But we're certainly, you know, always prepared to
have those discussions and try to continue to look at
what is best for our players as well as what's
the best in m Zealand.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Cricket and Scott was intrigued by this announcement a day
or so ago. Hall of Fame New Zealand Crickets launching
at the Base and Reserve Test eleven to be inaugurated
posts to World War Two players, men and women. Look,
this is an exciting concept. How did it come about?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Yeah, again, we you know, we're always thinking about bays
that we can engage our fans, you know, and and
bring about new fans while also you know, reflecting on
our history and ensuring that our past players are properly
honored and their stories are told. The Hall of Fame
(10:24):
concept initially came up to an idea from the Cricket
Planers Association. So it's actually it's a it's a group,
it's a tripathide arrangement between ourselves with Cricket Players Association
and the Cricket Museum. And really, you know, we see
it as an idea, an opportunity to honor those who
performed so well for New Zealand while also you know,
(10:47):
trying to engage a new set of fans around you know,
our history.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Well, it's fantastic concept. Look forward to seeing the eleven
names announced in the first induction later on this week. Scott,
thank you very much for your time canvassing all those issues.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Appreciate it, my pleasure. Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
That is Scott winning the Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket.
Across the range of issues, I liked the concept of
more test cricket in twenty twenty four or five. I
looked at the calendar this morning the future tours program.
Two against Zimbabwe midyear, two against the West Indies on
home at the end of the year. That's it for
(11:26):
the summer, by the way, next summer just two tests
on home soil. But as you heard Scott revealed, there
a few more tests or maybe one or two more
tests at least, something more potentially on the calendar for
next season.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.