Plan to delay domestic T20 season to maximise crowds

As part of perfecting their domestic Twenty20 recipe, New Zealand Cricket wants to move the schedule back a week next season to maximise attendances in the holiday period.

The official crowd and television viewing numbers are yet to be released, but NZC chief executive David White told Radio Sport that both were boosted in this edition of the McDonald's Super Smash.

"The most material change has been the time that we've played, which has gone more into the holiday season. The crowds have been fantastic and the players enjoy that.

"Before Christmas it's a struggle to get people along, but afterwards they seem to flock."

 "Ideally we'd push it more into the holiday season and play a little less before Christmas. We're still not where we want to be, but we're heading in the right direction. The challenge is we're always compared to the Big Bash, which has been an incredible success, but we don't have the grounds or the population to cater for that.

"We've got to be 'niche' in what we do. Playing on beautiful boutique grounds over the summer period fits with the Kiwi psyche."

So the big question is... Does this mean they're creating a space for Matt Heath's Dunedin Super Weekend at Forsyth Barr Stadium?

via NZ Herald