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Alex Chapman: So.... now what for the NZ20?
Alex Chapman • March 25th, 2026 10:05 am
Photo: Photosport
Some would argue, state, and exasperate that this long wait really did grate.
So, now what?
It’s a question that’s been asked by many over the last 48+ hours since the email dropped on Monday at 10am NZT saying that New Zealand Cricket “will pursue the proposed NZ20 franchise league as the preferred option for its domestic T20 competition.”
It's a pursuit that’s been a long time coming.
The can kicking eventually hit the end of the road. And while the Board made everyone involved in the game sit at pedestrian crossings, several sets of lights, and even what felt like at times constant roadworks, the can was picked up, and handed to the NZ20 consortium. Or in this case, cansortium.
Though, there's more than just box ticking to come. This isn’t a matter of dotting i’s and crossing t’s, this is now ensuring it’s all done properly.
As NZC said in their statement, the decision is “subject to the satisfactory resolution of key commercial, structural, and governance matters.”
Sport Nation understands there’s little reason to believe those won’t be met. Sources have indicated that the matters, while important, aren’t insurmountable. It’s believed among those that need to be ironed out include what the governance of the competitions looks like, various aspects of the commercial and financial side, and how the Major Associations may be represented.
Daniel McHardy has many questions as to why NZ20 is the best option following NZC backing | Mondays with McHardy
An additional important aspect of it all, as NZC put it, is “In particular, we want to work with NZ20 to ensure it incorporates and supports the women’s domestic T20 competition, and that it maintains a level of prominence and visibility consistent with NZC’s strategic commitment to the women’s game.”
It's understood that in the initial NZ20 consortium proposal last year, it was made clear that December 2026 was the goal for the women’s competition. Delays to yesterday's NZC decision may affect the preference for it to launch as per the initial timeline, though it remains an option.
It’s a crucial push from NZC though. Currently, there are numerous women and girls programmes in place, and through strategic framework, the number of them and the subsequent opportunities are only growing for the good. But those involved – girls and women - need to see a clear path to the next stage. Put simply, build it, and they will come. It just needs to be built with the correct infrastructure, not some shabby do-up job.
If, as it is on course to do, NZ20 proceeds, it will keep many of New Zealand's leading men's and women's players on home shores.
As previously revealed by Sport Nation, several players are currently looking at, and have offers in front of them for alternative, overseas domestic T20 competitions. That could’ve meant as many as 10 men’s players opting out of central contracts, had/should the NZ20 competition not proceed.
Instead, some of New Zealand’s biggest names will play in Aotearoa rather than be lost off-shore for large periods.
Some credit has to go to the players in this decision. They easily could’ve sat on the fence and allowed the discomfort of both their sitting place and the situation to grow beyond just irritation. They could’ve done what is quite a kiwi thing of bitched and moaned in hushed whispers or behind closed doors and end up frustrated. Instead, they used their platforms, spoke with passionate eloquence, and went through (largely) the appropriate channels to do so.
Ultimately, the custodians of the game had to listen to the entertainers of it.
In some sense, they had to though. For the BBL to go ahead, stakeholders, including the Players Association would’ve had to sign off on it. And so, therein would’ve lay a problem when you look at who was and wasn’t onboard for various decisions.
The onus though, now also goes on the players.
Let’s not forget, the Board asked the New Zealand Cricket Players Association for a letter to be written, and they duly obliged. In the nine-page document, which was first revealed by Sport Nation, the NZCPA - as a signatory and key stakeholder to the current Master Agreement - outlined its stance regarding domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand.
It stated that they’re “overwhelmingly supportive” of establishing the NZ20 competition and will “not support the proposal for one New Zealand team” in the Big Bash competitions.
Well, now they’ve got their way. And so it’s on them to prove it.
That’s not to say that high-profile players choosing to play at home in a new competition will be some magic wand that once waved, previous, and yes current issues will disappear.
But it may go a long way.
And so to the second group; the fans.
Like every good magic show, the crowd has a job. They must turn up. They must ooh at the escaping from chains, and ahh at the cutting in half of people. They must clap and cheer at the wonder in front of them and they must rejoice in the fact that they can share these experiences.
It’s a decision that took far too long to make, and hopefully these next steps will be swift. After all, who knows how much more can kicking any of us can take.
Sumo on why NZ20 was the only genuine option for NZ Cricket | Scotty & Izzy
