![Key members resigns from New Zealand cricket [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774247463011_KeymembersresignsfromNewZealandcricket.jpg?type=hq)
Key members resigns from New Zealand cricket [Source: AFP]
Following New Zealand's T20 World Cup final loss, the country's cricket has experienced a decline, with the first signs of fallout evident in the resignation of board member and former cricketer Dion Nash. New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC)’s decision to pursue a new franchise-based T20 league has led to clashes amongst board members, with Nash being the first casualty.
On Monday, the NZC confirmed that it will back the new franchise-based T20 model for its domestic future. There were also plans to incorporate a New Zealand-based T20 team in Australia’s Big Bash League, a decision that has already divided opinions.
By afternoon, Nash couldn’t bear any more, as he clearly stated that he could no longer support New Zealand Cricket’s decision.
"Ultimately, I reached a point where I felt it was the right time to step aside," he said.
New Zealand Cricket aims to revitalised T20 league
The NZC Board has made an in-principle decision to support the establishment of the new league, subject to reaching key commercial and structural measures.
The proposed idea of a franchise-based T20 league caused disruptions, and it also culminated in the resignation of NZC’s Chief Executive, Scott Weenink, just days before Christmas last year. He had a disagreement with the stakeholders and players’ association, and as a result, Weenink left his post.
Interestingly, the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams are also quite vocal about starting a brand new T20 league, which would generate more revenue.
Even though a final decision is yet to be taken by the board, all signs point towards revitalising the T20 structure in New Zealand.
Franchise based T20 league set to provide more exposure to female players
With the new proposal on the table, the White Ferns players have come out and supported the idea. Senior player Sophie Devine stated that the new T20 league could be the best option for New Zealand Cricket, as it would give more exposure to the female cricketers.
New Zealand Women’s cricketer Brooke Halliday sees the new T20 league as an opportunity for female cricketers to have their breakthroughs, and become a household names.
"When you talk to Melie [Kerr], Sophie and even Suzie [Bates], they talk about how much they get out of franchise cricket around the world and how much it grows their game. And I think personally in New Zealand we don't really get that exposure every season, those franchise leagues. So having something we actually have in New Zealand, and we can showcase to the rest of the world, could open doors for us also in different competitions around the world."
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New T20 league set to generate more revenue for NZC
Female cricketers are getting more exposure, and the idea of producing quality cricket is one of the main agendas why New Zealand Cricket wants to start a new franchise-based T20 league. However, the bigger picture is that it’s all about the revenue.
As compared to the big three nations (India, England, and Australia), New Zealand receives a significantly smaller share of the ICC revenue. Despite being a top ICC nation, NZC hardly receives the share they deserve, and hence, this idea was proposed to start a new T20 league.
T20 cricket is the way to go forward, and almost every ICC nation has its own franchise league, barring New Zealand. Hence, this would allow the board to generate more revenue, and they don’t have to depend on the ICC for money.
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