August 19, 2024 • 10 mins
NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink joins Craig Cumming to chat the rare four-test series confirmed between the Black Caps and Australia for the 2026-27 summer schedule.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
A real, a rare four test series has been confirmed.
This is great news between the black Caps in Australia.
With the venues locked in for the twenty twenty six
twenty six twenty say that again great twenty six twenty
seven summer schedule. Cricket Australia announced the future schedule yesterday
confirming Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney will host the black Caps,
(00:20):
which is great news. Joining us now as the CEO
of New Jelling Cricket, Scott when it good morning, Scott.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Crave. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, very well, Well, this is great news, isn't it.
First of all, you know, going over again, getting another
Boxing day Test, but to get a four test match series.
I think that's the first time we've had one since
I don't know about nineteen ninety nine. My figures tell
me that's that's a great result.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah, we look, we're delighted to have the opportunity you know,
blighter tho opportunior, but also obviously for our fans, so
the opportunity to get across to Australia and seed not
only a box another box in there, but also you know,
poor tests and some of the iconic crowns.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
How does that come about? Is that a negotiation? Because
you know we're so used to two test mess herees
we very really even get three, So how do we
get four against Australia.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, look, the schedules have been pretty much locked in
for a few years and so what we try and
do is discussed directly with countries such as Cricket Australia
about adding games. Now in this instance, aar staffs would
we be prepared to pay a festival or third test
(01:32):
and then aboard And of course we sort of consulted
main stakeholders, including the players, and everyone was very excited
about the opportunity, so we had no hesitation and accepting
that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Is this also a good reflection of the standing that
you know, this black cap side has around the world
now and the attraction level that it has.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, it is. You know, we're still we're you know,
there's the Big three, but we're not far off that
you know, I said, like to pick up thousand. The
Big four, the Big five include South Africa and Cricket
Australia are actually various spoils and Cricket I was across
two to preventually our high year strategic plan to the
(02:14):
Cricket Australia staff at MCGM, and it's fair to say
that got a great reception and it was also very
clear support of the our of the gil cricket and
how key they are for Dijil and cricket to be strong,
so you know they do want to play us as
much as possible. They they themselves also were delighted with
(02:34):
that Test series earlier this year, which was which was
so hard at thought. So it is a reflection of
how well the Black Gaps had played in our playing.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Yeah, and it's a nice leader and I mean it's
still you know, sort of two full seasons away. I mean,
is it also from a Cricket Australia point of view
how well we supported the last Test match series over
there and just remembering Boxing Day I think close to
eighty five thousand people there and so many key was
coming up over must be an attraction to them knowing
that they're going to get good support from the side
of the testment.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yes, definitely, that's that's a big part of that. It
was great to see across the obviously the fan last
and there was a huge number of New Zealand supporters
over there, which was which was a good sign. Also
the earlier this year there was a was a there
was a three tour groups of Australians that came across
to New Zealand to watch those Tift matches and a
(03:28):
number of them are actually come back for the Inland
tests later this year because they they enjoyed this experience
so much.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Which is really important. Really, We'll make a note Scott
that in a couple of years time there's going to
be no cricket, domestic cricket between Christmas and New Year,
so we can all get a wee bit of leave
to go over and support that Boxing Day test.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, well, I'll see what I can do.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
How I mean, you've been you've been in the job,
I think just about a year now, announcement a year ago.
You know, I suppose you've well and truly got the
feed under the table. You know, how's that last year
been for it?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yeah? I feel as I've got the feed on the table.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
But cricket is just changing so dramatically and so quickly
that I feel as I've got my head on the
table and got my head around what's going on. But
it is changing all the time, So it's very dynamic,
but it's been it's been a wonderful experience. And I
(04:25):
say the cricket aspect of it is obviously fantastic.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
You know, when I'm watching cricket, I'm thinking, Wow, this
is this work. But also the business side of it
and the geo political parts that around international cricket are
also incredibly stimulating and exciting.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, what's the biggest challenge. I mean, I look at
the scheduling, we look at all the different tournaments that
are happening. We've got you know, just now you know,
black Caps taking casual contracts, not taking national contracts. I mean,
what's the great challenges that you've got looking forward to
the next two years.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Certainly that contracting is a big challenge, and what's happening
with the domestic T twenty legs and the overlap with
international cricket, all of that. You know, there's a whole
confluence of things that come together to mean that there's
uncertainty around that, and there's also uncertainty around you broadcasting revenue,
(05:20):
et cetera. And you have the domestic T twenty leagus
competing with international cricket for you know, not just players
but also broadcasting revenue. So all of that is a
really tricky strategic challenge. But again it's it's incredibly interesting,
I guess for the gen cricket. In reality, we have
(05:42):
little over what's happening on a global stage, and what
we need to be doing is just continuing to be
dynamic and flexible and trying to point the news cricket
ship in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, and I mean how important is performance then when
it comes to the black Caps and the White Ferns
to make sure that you do have a good influence
around the world.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
It's huge. Yeah, that's been inside anything else as the
most critical element of the whole business. Both the Black
Caps and.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
White Ferns, and particularly the black Cats because of the
commercial grunt that comes with that must be performing for
New Zealand cricket to be in a healthy state.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And again sorry, so no, you keep going, you keep going,
But I was going to say that, you know, for
them to continue to perform and be healthy, we also need,
you know, our pathways and comely cricket to be strong.
So we are continuing to bridge produce high quality black
Caps and white foods.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
It's a challenging one and I don't know how much
you really can say, but around the contract, I think,
what have we got four players maybe five who have
chosen not to take contracts. But the model has been
in place Scott since two thousand and three, where it's
a one year contract. That's you know, it's been in place.
Are we at the stage now where we've got to
look at that contracting model and the way it's done
and the way we do things?
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Yeah, I mean it has a bo The casual playing
arrangement is quite a significant evolution. That's provided you know,
a lot of flexibility and it's been a really smart move.
Now that was initially negotiated by the players through heaps
with David White, and I think that was a very
(07:32):
smart thing to do. But again, as CREPT is changing,
we need to continue to be prepared to look at that.
And you know, look, I think I've got a good
relationship with the players and also the Players Association, and
we are talking constantly about what that contracting model, how
it looks, what it needs to look like. At the moment,
(07:55):
I think it is for the purpose I think it gives,
you know, us they have an afflictibility to be able
to take advantage of of the teach twenty leagues and
top up their earnings whiles still playing for New Zealand
and being able to live in New Zealand. And the
part about being able to live in New Zealand is
also a really important element.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That is one under estimate. You know, there's very few
sports where you can earn the kind of money that
our cricketers are and that's both men and women while
being able to live in New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Still, it's a very good point, a very good point
in our home summer is also important because we want
engagement with our own fans. So you're comfortable in the
next couple of years that we've got good inbound tours
and we're about to service what we need here in
New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, I mean this year we've got obviously in one
of the three Tests, which is very exciting. There's obviously
a a gap in January and then we go to
Pakistan for a tri series in the Champions Trophy, so
it's probably a little light and then Pakistan comes us,
so it's probe a little light our Christmas unfortunately, but
(09:03):
there is some good international cricket that's not being TV.
The following some where the Western there's coming for a
full tour. We're in discussings with them about potentially adding
on a third Test and I hope I'm not speaking
on Tom about that that that's not guaranteed, but we
are in discussions about that, try and top that up.
(09:24):
So but yeah, possibly a little light next year, but
still some you know, some really really good quality cricket.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
There's a chance then in January to real help focus
on the domestic game, which is our Grassrochs game, is it? Hey, Scott,
really appreciate you giving us a bit of extended time
this morning. Well done on getting four Test matches. I
know the country will be super excited about that and
it's a couple of years away but we can't wait
for that roll around. Thanks for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Thanks great, Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Got us go there we go. Yeah, it's great news.
In the four Test matches over in Australia. So we've
got Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney so obviously the MCG
that's haven't been into a Test match at the MCG
bucket list for me to go along the app and
even Sidney though the new Year's Test, one of those
two you know, we've got to we break and get across.
(10:10):
But four Test matches against them and then good news,
they're even talking about potentially a third Test match against
West Indy. So hopefully, while we've got all these different
leagues around the world, we've got all these different things important,
especially on Test cricket, and to here we're getting a
four Test match and then we might have more three
Test match series. That is fantastic news.
A real, a rare four test series has been confirmed.
This is great news between the black Caps in Australia.
With the venues locked in for the twenty twenty six
twenty six twenty say that again great twenty six twenty
seven summer schedule. Cricket Australia announced the future schedule yesterday
confirming Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney will host the black Caps,
(00:20):
which is great news. Joining us now as the CEO
of New Jelling Cricket, Scott when it good morning, Scott.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Crave. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, very well, Well, this is great news, isn't it.
First of all, you know, going over again, getting another
Boxing day Test, but to get a four test match series.
I think that's the first time we've had one since
I don't know about nineteen ninety nine. My figures tell
me that's that's a great result.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah, we look, we're delighted to have the opportunity you know,
blighter tho opportunior, but also obviously for our fans, so
the opportunity to get across to Australia and seed not
only a box another box in there, but also you know,
poor tests and some of the iconic crowns.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
How does that come about? Is that a negotiation? Because
you know we're so used to two test mess herees
we very really even get three, So how do we
get four against Australia.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, look, the schedules have been pretty much locked in
for a few years and so what we try and
do is discussed directly with countries such as Cricket Australia
about adding games. Now in this instance, aar staffs would
we be prepared to pay a festival or third test
(01:32):
and then aboard And of course we sort of consulted
main stakeholders, including the players, and everyone was very excited
about the opportunity, so we had no hesitation and accepting
that opportunity.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Is this also a good reflection of the standing that
you know, this black cap side has around the world
now and the attraction level that it has.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, it is. You know, we're still we're you know,
there's the Big three, but we're not far off that
you know, I said, like to pick up thousand. The
Big four, the Big five include South Africa and Cricket
Australia are actually various spoils and Cricket I was across
two to preventually our high year strategic plan to the
(02:14):
Cricket Australia staff at MCGM, and it's fair to say
that got a great reception and it was also very
clear support of the our of the gil cricket and
how key they are for Dijil and cricket to be strong,
so you know they do want to play us as
much as possible. They they themselves also were delighted with
(02:34):
that Test series earlier this year, which was which was
so hard at thought. So it is a reflection of
how well the Black Gaps had played in our playing.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Yeah, and it's a nice leader and I mean it's
still you know, sort of two full seasons away. I mean,
is it also from a Cricket Australia point of view
how well we supported the last Test match series over
there and just remembering Boxing Day I think close to
eighty five thousand people there and so many key was
coming up over must be an attraction to them knowing
that they're going to get good support from the side
of the testment.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yes, definitely, that's that's a big part of that. It
was great to see across the obviously the fan last
and there was a huge number of New Zealand supporters
over there, which was which was a good sign. Also
the earlier this year there was a was a there
was a three tour groups of Australians that came across
to New Zealand to watch those Tift matches and a
(03:28):
number of them are actually come back for the Inland
tests later this year because they they enjoyed this experience
so much.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Which is really important. Really, We'll make a note Scott
that in a couple of years time there's going to
be no cricket, domestic cricket between Christmas and New Year,
so we can all get a wee bit of leave
to go over and support that Boxing Day test.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, well, I'll see what I can do.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
How I mean, you've been you've been in the job,
I think just about a year now, announcement a year ago.
You know, I suppose you've well and truly got the
feed under the table. You know, how's that last year
been for it?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yeah? I feel as I've got the feed on the table.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
But cricket is just changing so dramatically and so quickly
that I feel as I've got my head on the
table and got my head around what's going on. But
it is changing all the time, So it's very dynamic,
but it's been it's been a wonderful experience. And I
(04:25):
say the cricket aspect of it is obviously fantastic.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
You know, when I'm watching cricket, I'm thinking, Wow, this
is this work. But also the business side of it
and the geo political parts that around international cricket are
also incredibly stimulating and exciting.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Yeah, what's the biggest challenge. I mean, I look at
the scheduling, we look at all the different tournaments that
are happening. We've got you know, just now you know,
black Caps taking casual contracts, not taking national contracts. I mean,
what's the great challenges that you've got looking forward to
the next two years.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Certainly that contracting is a big challenge, and what's happening
with the domestic T twenty legs and the overlap with
international cricket, all of that. You know, there's a whole
confluence of things that come together to mean that there's
uncertainty around that, and there's also uncertainty around you broadcasting revenue,
(05:20):
et cetera. And you have the domestic T twenty leagus
competing with international cricket for you know, not just players
but also broadcasting revenue. So all of that is a
really tricky strategic challenge. But again it's it's incredibly interesting,
I guess for the gen cricket. In reality, we have
(05:42):
little over what's happening on a global stage, and what
we need to be doing is just continuing to be
dynamic and flexible and trying to point the news cricket
ship in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, and I mean how important is performance then when
it comes to the black Caps and the White Ferns
to make sure that you do have a good influence
around the world.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
It's huge. Yeah, that's been inside anything else as the
most critical element of the whole business. Both the Black
Caps and.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
White Ferns, and particularly the black Cats because of the
commercial grunt that comes with that must be performing for
New Zealand cricket to be in a healthy state.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And again sorry, so no, you keep going, you keep going,
But I was going to say that, you know, for
them to continue to perform and be healthy, we also need,
you know, our pathways and comely cricket to be strong.
So we are continuing to bridge produce high quality black
Caps and white foods.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
It's a challenging one and I don't know how much
you really can say, but around the contract, I think,
what have we got four players maybe five who have
chosen not to take contracts. But the model has been
in place Scott since two thousand and three, where it's
a one year contract. That's you know, it's been in place.
Are we at the stage now where we've got to
look at that contracting model and the way it's done
and the way we do things?
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Yeah, I mean it has a bo The casual playing
arrangement is quite a significant evolution. That's provided you know,
a lot of flexibility and it's been a really smart move.
Now that was initially negotiated by the players through heaps
with David White, and I think that was a very
(07:32):
smart thing to do. But again, as CREPT is changing,
we need to continue to be prepared to look at that.
And you know, look, I think I've got a good
relationship with the players and also the Players Association, and
we are talking constantly about what that contracting model, how
it looks, what it needs to look like. At the moment,
(07:55):
I think it is for the purpose I think it gives,
you know, us they have an afflictibility to be able
to take advantage of of the teach twenty leagues and
top up their earnings whiles still playing for New Zealand
and being able to live in New Zealand. And the
part about being able to live in New Zealand is
also a really important element.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That is one under estimate. You know, there's very few
sports where you can earn the kind of money that
our cricketers are and that's both men and women while
being able to live in New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Still, it's a very good point, a very good point
in our home summer is also important because we want
engagement with our own fans. So you're comfortable in the
next couple of years that we've got good inbound tours
and we're about to service what we need here in
New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, I mean this year we've got obviously in one
of the three Tests, which is very exciting. There's obviously
a a gap in January and then we go to
Pakistan for a tri series in the Champions Trophy, so
it's probably a little light and then Pakistan comes us,
so it's probe a little light our Christmas unfortunately, but
(09:03):
there is some good international cricket that's not being TV.
The following some where the Western there's coming for a
full tour. We're in discussings with them about potentially adding
on a third Test and I hope I'm not speaking
on Tom about that that that's not guaranteed, but we
are in discussions about that, try and top that up.
(09:24):
So but yeah, possibly a little light next year, but
still some you know, some really really good quality cricket.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
There's a chance then in January to real help focus
on the domestic game, which is our Grassrochs game, is it? Hey, Scott,
really appreciate you giving us a bit of extended time
this morning. Well done on getting four Test matches. I
know the country will be super excited about that and
it's a couple of years away but we can't wait
for that roll around. Thanks for your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Thanks great, Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Got us go there we go. Yeah, it's great news.
In the four Test matches over in Australia. So we've
got Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney so obviously the MCG
that's haven't been into a Test match at the MCG
bucket list for me to go along the app and
even Sidney though the new Year's Test, one of those
two you know, we've got to we break and get across.
(10:10):
But four Test matches against them and then good news,
they're even talking about potentially a third Test match against
West Indy. So hopefully, while we've got all these different
leagues around the world, we've got all these different things important,
especially on Test cricket, and to here we're getting a
four Test match and then we might have more three
Test match series. That is fantastic news.
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