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Blackcaps star opposed to NZ team joining Australia's T20 Big Bash League
Sport Nation • October 10th, 2025 10:45 am
Daryl Mitchell | Photo: Photosport
Blackcaps cricketer Daryl Mitchell has added his voice to the growing chorus of discontent surrounding the potential addition of a New Zealand team in Australia's Big Bash T20 league.
The proposal has gathered considerable momentum over the last fortnight, after NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink confirmed it had been investigating the viability of becoming one of the expansion sides sought by Cricket Australia to join the burgeoning franchise competition.
But according to NZC Players Association board member Mitchell, that investment would be better utilised to develop its homegrown T20 Super Smash.
"I'd rather us invest into our T20 comp in our own country," Mitchell told Sport Nation Mornings.
"I think the depth that we have as a country is testament to competitions that we've had locally so if you can involve the whole country and keep trying to grow that game [I'd prefer that].
"That's how I see it."
Over the past few years, the Big Bash has experienced immense growth, selling out stadiums and attracting some of the planet's premier cricketers.
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Mitchell acknowledges the competition's undeniable popularity boom and while unable to comment first-hand on the level of competition relative to New Zealand's version, he's confident that with more development, it could become its own brand of both entertainment and player development.
"I personally haven't played the Big Bash but all I know is that we've got some pretty good cricketers here in New Zealand that constantly put their hands up around the world," added Mitchell, who has represented New Zealand 70 times on the T20 international stage.
"If we can keep backing our own local talent and trying to make the most of our own New Zealand cricketers, then I think that will help the game here in this country."
An experienced T20 cricketer, the 2023 Sir Richard Hadlee medallist made some of his strongest early impressions in the Super Smash with Northern Districts before switching to Canterbury.
In 2022, Mitchell's impressive form on the international stage resulted in a call-up to the Rajasthan Royals via the IPL draft. He's since represented the Chennai Super Kings, as well as Lahore Qalanders in Pakistan's T20 league.
"I just know that we've got some amazing talent in this country and the more we can promote that talent and allow that to also create I guess cities against cities and provinces against provinces [the better].
"I love watching NPC rugby, I love the history of the game so the more we can promote that the better."
Listen to the full interview below
