September 6, 2024 • 7 mins
The Summer of cricket is about to get underway.
The Black Caps have tests against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, India, and England all coming up before Christmas.
NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink is rearing to go, and spoke to Craig Cumming on Sportstalk about the upcoming season.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk Zed.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be time to talk cricket on the program. Let's welcome
in the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, Scott. When it
good evening, Scott, how are you very well?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Very well? Thanks for having me on, Craig.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Very good to have you on and thanks for being
available at what an exciting time, Scott. I was just
looking at the calendar. We've got Afghanistan test on Monday.
We then we've got two against Sri Lanka, three against
India over in India and then three with England coming here,
all before Christmas. Test cricket, you know, for us lovers
is alive.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, it's extraordinary. Really Yeah, No, I'm absolutely fuzzy and
I know that. I know the black Caps are too.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
What is it? I mean when you look at the
schedule and we always feel like we don't get enough,
is it just the perfect storm at the moment that
we've managed to get so much test cricket in such
a short period of time.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, I mean arranging the schedules is like make creks
on top of the mattrix. It's incredibly challenging. And obviously
these particularly games were put in place probably about eighteen
months ago, so you just got to make the most
of it while you can. You know, clearly there will
be not so many games next year, but there'll be
(01:24):
a lot of top white ball games, so make the
most of the red ball games over the next sort
of six months.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, and as I mean, you think a Gary Stead
in the preparation, you know, you want to have continuity
in playing Afghanistan, then Sri Lanka and then back over
to India. Being in the subcontinent and playing consecutive test
matches must help so much because as we know Scott,
there's just no time these days for tours for preseason
games and getting prepared, so being over there for a
period of time will certainly help them when it comes
(01:50):
to performance.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah. I mean, look, what is going to make a
huge difference is these indoor outdoor training facilities that we
refer to Askravo's. We've currently got four of them across
the country and we'll be building two more to have
full coverage. And that enables us to actually had the
teams training on pitchers that that they're going to be
(02:14):
using or they're going to be playing on in the subcontinent.
So the black Cats have had some you know, exceptional
preparation essentially playing on wickets of turning square. Then you know,
on the back of that actually playing you know, a
significant period of time and in those conditions should hopefully
mean by the end of it we're playing pretty well.
(02:37):
I think what's also great is that we do have
some real depth in our in our spin bowling stocks.
You know, we've got a number of our batsmen are
actually very very capable spinners too. So I don't want
to get too far above above the cells, but you know,
I'd like to think we've actually got a really good opportunity,
(02:58):
you know this, over the next six months to do well.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
That's a good point you make, and you're right, yeah,
I'm sure you've got your opinion and you sit sit
in your chair and try not to But it must
be nice for our spin bowlers because we know our
history shows that in New Jenterman they ain't get a
lot of go so to have that many tests over there,
you know, Agesptel sat now those guys, it must be
nice for them to go, right, I'm actually going to
be needed here. And the challenge for them though Scott
will be they need to front up because they're going
(03:23):
to be needed to win Test matches.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, that's right, But all of those guys have done that.
They sent the agaz you know, they have won Test
matches with their bowling and also you know, obviously Glenn Phillips,
you know, bold extremely well last last season. So yeah,
I think they'll go and they'll go and with all
the confidence that they can actually perform and those you
(03:50):
know in those areas.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, I think as would tell had a little ten
for last time he was in India, didn't he.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
That's right. Yeah, and we're playing We're playing the Mumbai again,
so you know he'll have very very fond memories of
that ground.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Tell us how the excitement around like Afghanistan playing a
Test match to get them it's is that a case
of showing that, especially for the ICC, they are serious
about growing the game in the international game.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, they are. I mean, look, Afghanistan are an exceptional team.
I think. I think I've already played ten Test matches
and have won almost half of them. So and what
we saw in that ICC T twenty World Cup. Not
only have they got some exceptional spinners, but they've actually
got a really capable seam ball and attack as well,
(04:37):
so they are going to be a very very tough proposition.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Really excited too after we get through that, how I
much as I suppose is the buzz around, especially in
z ce Worth having three Test matches against England at
home before.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Christmas, Yeah, no, incredible exciting. They we you know, we
hope we'll sell all of those Test matches out and
all going well, we will, you know, we'll still be
in the hunt to make the Will Champion Final. So
there and as will England, I'm sure. So not only
will they be well supported just because it's England, but
(05:15):
I actually think there's probably going to be a lot
riding on them in terms of qualification for World Test Championship.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, it'd be great. And also we've got I think
at the moment the White Funds are in camp, they
will be announcing their side soon. They'll be off to
play Australia and then the T twenty World Cup now
and Dubai, so plenty of cricket happening. And also it's
going to be a challenging time for them, but a
great opportunity for the white Fish to show some development.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, I mean England was an incredibly tough tour and
you know ours over there, but England are an incredibly
strong side, you know, probably one of the best woman's side,
if not cricket sides. So yeah, so look, it was tough.
But if we take the learnings from that tour and
translate them into the World Cup, and you know, obviously
(06:02):
we've got Australia before that as well, you know, it's
you know, I think it's actually pretty promising for us.
But yeah, very tough Australia first, then the World Cup
and then India. So again for the White Ferns, a
really really tough period of cricket.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
How do you how do you combine all the calendar
Scott when it comes to you said the matrix, I mean, gee,
was it just must be layer upon layer upon la
because it's not even talking about a domestic teams, our
age group teams as well.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It's really challenging. And you know, I know that the
World Cricketers Association is looking to come out with their
views and even a proposal on windows, and I must
have been I am a supporter of windows. I think
you know, even Rugby has windows. You know, there is
(06:49):
so much cricket and which is absolutely fantastic and the
game's grown really really quickly. But I think we need to,
you know, both the national associations and also the clubs
and themessity tween leagues need to actually work together to
try and get at greven most because otherwise we're competing
against each other and I just don't think we.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Need to who leads that scott because obviously New Zealand
crickets a voice, but has that got to come from
the ICC?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, the ICC are obviously a strong voice in the area,
as are the mcc as are the World Cricketers Association.
But also that you know, the stronger, the more powerful
nations such as the b C c I, e c
B and Cricket Australia. You know, everyone has voices. Some
(07:39):
have a louder and stronger voices than others. But it's
it's really it will need a coordinated effort where people
are prepared to, you know, put some self interest to
the side and try and do what's best for cricket
as a whole.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
For more from Sports Talk, listen Lived and Used Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk Zed.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be time to talk cricket on the program. Let's welcome
in the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, Scott. When it
good evening, Scott, how are you very well?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Very well? Thanks for having me on, Craig.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Very good to have you on and thanks for being
available at what an exciting time, Scott. I was just
looking at the calendar. We've got Afghanistan test on Monday.
We then we've got two against Sri Lanka, three against
India over in India and then three with England coming here,
all before Christmas. Test cricket, you know, for us lovers
is alive.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, it's extraordinary. Really Yeah, No, I'm absolutely fuzzy and
I know that. I know the black Caps are too.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
What is it? I mean when you look at the
schedule and we always feel like we don't get enough,
is it just the perfect storm at the moment that
we've managed to get so much test cricket in such
a short period of time.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, I mean arranging the schedules is like make creks
on top of the mattrix. It's incredibly challenging. And obviously
these particularly games were put in place probably about eighteen
months ago, so you just got to make the most
of it while you can. You know, clearly there will
be not so many games next year, but there'll be
(01:24):
a lot of top white ball games, so make the
most of the red ball games over the next sort
of six months.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, and as I mean, you think a Gary Stead
in the preparation, you know, you want to have continuity
in playing Afghanistan, then Sri Lanka and then back over
to India. Being in the subcontinent and playing consecutive test
matches must help so much because as we know Scott,
there's just no time these days for tours for preseason
games and getting prepared, so being over there for a
period of time will certainly help them when it comes
(01:50):
to performance.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah. I mean, look, what is going to make a
huge difference is these indoor outdoor training facilities that we
refer to Askravo's. We've currently got four of them across
the country and we'll be building two more to have
full coverage. And that enables us to actually had the
teams training on pitchers that that they're going to be
(02:14):
using or they're going to be playing on in the subcontinent.
So the black Cats have had some you know, exceptional
preparation essentially playing on wickets of turning square. Then you know,
on the back of that actually playing you know, a
significant period of time and in those conditions should hopefully
mean by the end of it we're playing pretty well.
(02:37):
I think what's also great is that we do have
some real depth in our in our spin bowling stocks.
You know, we've got a number of our batsmen are
actually very very capable spinners too. So I don't want
to get too far above above the cells, but you know,
I'd like to think we've actually got a really good opportunity,
(02:58):
you know this, over the next six months to do well.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
That's a good point you make, and you're right, yeah,
I'm sure you've got your opinion and you sit sit
in your chair and try not to But it must
be nice for our spin bowlers because we know our
history shows that in New Jenterman they ain't get a
lot of go so to have that many tests over there,
you know, Agesptel sat now those guys, it must be
nice for them to go, right, I'm actually going to
be needed here. And the challenge for them though Scott
will be they need to front up because they're going
(03:23):
to be needed to win Test matches.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yeah, that's right, But all of those guys have done that.
They sent the agaz you know, they have won Test
matches with their bowling and also you know, obviously Glenn Phillips,
you know, bold extremely well last last season. So yeah,
I think they'll go and they'll go and with all
the confidence that they can actually perform and those you
(03:50):
know in those areas.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, I think as would tell had a little ten
for last time he was in India, didn't he.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
That's right. Yeah, and we're playing We're playing the Mumbai again,
so you know he'll have very very fond memories of
that ground.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Tell us how the excitement around like Afghanistan playing a
Test match to get them it's is that a case
of showing that, especially for the ICC, they are serious
about growing the game in the international game.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, they are. I mean, look, Afghanistan are an exceptional team.
I think. I think I've already played ten Test matches
and have won almost half of them. So and what
we saw in that ICC T twenty World Cup. Not
only have they got some exceptional spinners, but they've actually
got a really capable seam ball and attack as well,
(04:37):
so they are going to be a very very tough proposition.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Really excited too after we get through that, how I
much as I suppose is the buzz around, especially in
z ce Worth having three Test matches against England at
home before.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Christmas, Yeah, no, incredible exciting. They we you know, we
hope we'll sell all of those Test matches out and
all going well, we will, you know, we'll still be
in the hunt to make the Will Champion Final. So
there and as will England, I'm sure. So not only
will they be well supported just because it's England, but
(05:15):
I actually think there's probably going to be a lot
riding on them in terms of qualification for World Test Championship.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, it'd be great. And also we've got I think
at the moment the White Funds are in camp, they
will be announcing their side soon. They'll be off to
play Australia and then the T twenty World Cup now
and Dubai, so plenty of cricket happening. And also it's
going to be a challenging time for them, but a
great opportunity for the white Fish to show some development.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, I mean England was an incredibly tough tour and
you know ours over there, but England are an incredibly
strong side, you know, probably one of the best woman's side,
if not cricket sides. So yeah, so look, it was tough.
But if we take the learnings from that tour and
translate them into the World Cup, and you know, obviously
(06:02):
we've got Australia before that as well, you know, it's
you know, I think it's actually pretty promising for us.
But yeah, very tough Australia first, then the World Cup
and then India. So again for the White Ferns, a
really really tough period of cricket.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
How do you how do you combine all the calendar
Scott when it comes to you said the matrix, I mean, gee,
was it just must be layer upon layer upon la
because it's not even talking about a domestic teams, our
age group teams as well.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It's really challenging. And you know, I know that the
World Cricketers Association is looking to come out with their
views and even a proposal on windows, and I must
have been I am a supporter of windows. I think
you know, even Rugby has windows. You know, there is
(06:49):
so much cricket and which is absolutely fantastic and the
game's grown really really quickly. But I think we need to,
you know, both the national associations and also the clubs
and themessity tween leagues need to actually work together to
try and get at greven most because otherwise we're competing
against each other and I just don't think we.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Need to who leads that scott because obviously New Zealand
crickets a voice, but has that got to come from
the ICC?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, the ICC are obviously a strong voice in the area,
as are the mcc as are the World Cricketers Association.
But also that you know, the stronger, the more powerful
nations such as the b C c I, e c
B and Cricket Australia. You know, everyone has voices. Some
(07:39):
have a louder and stronger voices than others. But it's
it's really it will need a coordinated effort where people
are prepared to, you know, put some self interest to
the side and try and do what's best for cricket
as a whole.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
For more from Sports Talk, listen Lived and Used Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio,
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