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Big Bash door closing as NZC T20 decision delay continues
Alex Chapman • February 20th, 2026 11:44 am
Blackcaps T20 opener Finn Allen batting for the BBL's Perth Scorchers | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
The chances of a New Zealand team in the Big Bash appear to be getting slimmer by the day.
And while there is already several New Zealand players committed to Big Bash League teams, there could be even more Blackcaps in the competition, should a decision over NZ’s T20 future continue to be delayed.
As first reported by Sport Nation, members of the NZ20 consortium, and representatives of the Big Bash League and Cricket Australia presented separately to the NZ Cricket board last week.
It’s believed the BBL proposal is centred around one New Zealand team, based in Auckland, entering the competition in 2028.
It’s understood NZC would own 50 per cent of any proposed franchise, limiting total commercial control.
As more details of both proposals have come to light though, it’s understood the NZC board favour the NZ20 proposal.
However, a final decision is on hold while the Deloitte review continues to be conducted.
NZC spokesperson Richard Boock maintains the board remains open to all options.
"No decisions have been made, and it would be inaccurate to characterise a board preference at this stage of the process.” Boock told Sport Nation.
"This is an important and exciting time, and NZC remains committed to considering all options fully - with a focus firmly on achieving the best outcome for fans, players, and the long-term future of the game in New Zealand."
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It’s understood that members of the NZC board, including chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, met with ICC officials in mid-January in Dubai to discuss a range of matters, including NZ20.
That’s in addition to a letter being written to the ICC in November to dismiss claims that a “hostile takeover” of the game was pending.
Puketapu-Lyndon, NZC’s ICC board representative Roger Twose and all of NZC’s Major Association chairs signed the letter.
Deloitte was tasked with examining various options for revitalising T20 cricket in New Zealand, including private ownership, a revamped Super Smash, and entering a New Zealand team into Australia’s BBL.
It’s understood the review won’t be an entire recommendation for the future model, rather analysis of all options presented and being discussed.
As revealed by Sport Nation, that’s believed to be a change from the initial guidelines set out, though a publication date is yet to be confirmed.
But Boock insists there haven’t been delays.
"Deloitte's work continues to move at pace and in line with the timelines communicated to all parties at the outset, with an initial report due to the NZC board next month.” Boock told Sport Nation.
"Deloitte will deliver recommendations on the strategic, commercial and financial merits of each option.
"We understand the desire from all stakeholders, including players, for clarity, and that's what this process is designed to deliver.”
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But the delay is understood to be a concern for both organisers and players, with the latter keen to secure playing futures at a time when there’s significant and numerous overseas deals in front of them.
Among those are multi-year deals in the BBL, which are more-financially lucrative than the current Super Smash model.
It’s believed if given the option, most players would prefer to play in New Zealand under a new competition model, however the contracts would have to be comparative to those being offered during the same part of the year.
Many have indicated they wouldn’t stay, should the Super Smash remain in its current format or if a decision NZ20 isn’t made in the foreseeable future.
If a decision doesn’t come to fruition soon, as many as 10 players could end up opting for casual playing agreements, doubling the current number.
Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson are on such deals for the 2025-26 season, after declining NZC central contracts, allowing them to take up offshore T20 league deals.
It’s believed that players would prefer to be on central contracts for 2026/27 though, given the enormity of the schedule, including playing India at home, and four tests away to Australia, including the Boxing Day test.
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There’s also concern that should a decision over the NZ20 not be made shortly, its market value will be greatly affected, given leading players will look at alternative options.
It’s believed possible investors are also looking at other opportunities, including at a time when privatisation is being looked at in the BBL, as well as other new competitions such the soon-to-be launched European T20 Premier League.
NZ20 organisers are understood to prefer to launch the men’s and women’s competition in conjunction, however delays through the Deloitte review are believed to have delayed the women’s competition until the following summer, with the men to begin in January 2027.
