"New Zealand Cricket set to scrap Aussie test for Chappell-Hadlee ODIs"
Not quite the headline I wished to come home to. The Australian and NZ boards are in negotiations about home and away fixtures between the two teams next summer. The Black Caps are set to play 3 tests in Australia in November and then host the Australians in February. It seems, in order to fit in an ODI series as part of the latter tour, one of the tests must be scrapped. India host the 2020 World Cup at the end of the season - I will go ahead and assume that the IPL is not moving to accommodate this tournament... anyway. Enjoy
I have reproduced sections from the article here and provided a translation for what it really means:
David White: "It's an interesting debate. We want three-match test series where possible and there's been a lot of valid discussion about that over the last week."
Translation: "it's a question that I don't really want to answer at the risk of jeopardizing monetary gains from staging more limited overs cricket next season, but in order to suggest that we don't have an opinion on the matter we shall say there is a debate. We don't have a problem with three-match series as long as they don't interfere with our ability to re-stage the World Cup final over and over again, and there's been a lot of annoying discussion recently due to the genuine excitement produced by the tests in England."
David White: "But on the back of the success of Cricket World Cup, and bearing in mind we would have played three test matches in Australia [in November], it would be very appealing to have three Chappell-Hadlee ODIs in New Zealand."
Translation: "But after the team managed to make the final of the World Cup using an easily marketable brand of cricket - also don't forget that we will have played three test matches in Australia in November and people shouldn't get, ahem, greedy - it would be very appealing to our investors and stakeholders to have three Chappell-Hadlee ODIs in New Zealand. Chappell-Hadlee being - as you all know - euphemism for spirited rivalry but we're using it to justify cashing-in on recent world cup success."
David White: "It's fair to say it is advantageous for NZC to have a close working relationship with Australia. They're one of the top teams in the world and it would be great for us if we could play them more."
Translation: "we don't trust our ability to draw crowds with the most entertaining team in the world, we'd much rather sell out now"
I won't beat about the bush on this one - I think this is a terrible decision and a clear betrayal of the Black Caps by New Zealand Cricket. While the team and it's captain continue to create a positive style of cricket in all formats, the board appears to be blindly searching for any cash stream it can get in the short term. Does it occur to them that the World Cup - both as an event in New Zealand AND the team doing well - can be a force for increased enjoyment and marketability in all forms, not just ODIs? They are the most exciting test team going around and with a squad of talented players only just coming into their prime there is a bright future for the test side if they're given the chance.
Well that's it from me and I hope you join me again
It's good bye for now
Note "langue de bois" meaning language that uses vague, ambiguous, abstract or pompous words in order to divert attention from the salient issues
