*** Official New Zealand Domestic Cricket 2011/2012 ***

[AucklandCricket]

CD's Catchment Area

Anywhere from New Plymouth in the west, Napier in the east down to Masterton, then anywhere past Cook Strait to Blenheim. Unsure where any Hamner Springs or Greymouth cricketers would be aligned to...

Not sure if there's an MA map anywhere but CD covers the following districts: Cricket Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu, Marlborough, Nelson, Taranaki and Wairarapa. Not sure about the specifics in each district though.

 

[_Ed_]

Unsure where any Hamner Springs or Greymouth cricketers would be aligned to...

Yeah, I've wondered about Greymouth and the West Coast before. Not a huge player base, I guess, but still.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yip I'm with Auckland Cricket. Did a search to see if anyone's chatting about domestic cricket and this forum came up. Great to be able to read what everyone is chatting about.

That's awesome! Welcome to the forum. Always plenty of New Zealand domestic discussion around these parts. What's your role with Auckland if you don't mind me asking/can share?

 

[AucklandCricket]

That's awesome! Welcome to the forum. Always plenty of New Zealand domestic discussion around these parts. What's your role with Auckland if you don't mind me asking/can share?

A bit of everything really. Mainly running the HRV Cup, player appearances, hospitality, events etc. Everyone wears a million hats in cricket. At the moment I'm looking at a Champions League supporters tour to India, upcoming promotions and chatting to companies wanting to be involved at our games. Lots of fun.

 

[Flem274*]

That sounds bloody awesome.

 

[Hurricane]

A bit of everything really. Mainly running the HRV Cup, player appearances, hospitality, events etc. Everyone wears a million hats in cricket. At the moment I'm looking at a Champions League supporters tour to India, upcoming promotions and chatting to companies wanting to be involved at our games. Lots of fun.

What's Auckland's attitude to the HRV cup? Do you regard it as a god send - is there any down side that you can see.

 

[AucklandCricket]

What's Auckland's attitude to the HRV cup? Do you regard it as a god send - is there any down side that you can see.

Twenty20 cricket is a well established part of both the domestic and international cricketing schedule. It allows players with a different skill set to shine. The difficulty in some cases is transferring form from other versions of the game to Twenty20 and vice versa. From an entertainment perspective it is a great vehicle for getting people interested in the game with it's compact, high action format.

 

[Howsie]

Jeez, bringing back a journeyman like Greg Todd after the disastrous season he had for Auckland last year just signals to the rest of the country that CD's batting depth is a little thin at the moment. Surely they would have been better off contracting a younger batsmen while the likes of Sinclair and Ingram are still running around, thus giving him a chance to settle into the team without feeling the need to score massively right away.

Losing George Worker was also poor management on their behalf IMO. Last season was easily Worker's best year since coming into the set up as a school boy and they just allowed him to walk away, no fight, no nothing. I'm not exactly a massive fan but I reckon we'll see Worker breakout this year and average 40+ for his new team.

 

[SteveNZ]

Certainly can't disagree with the Greg Todd scenario. If they were looking for runs, why didn't they go to a Parlane? If they were looking for experience, why didn't they go to a Parlane?

Why didn't they go to a Parlane?

 

[straw man]

This was a few weeks ago now but I hadn't seen that Jeets took 10-163 for Warwickshire in County Division 1 and scored 65. Article on stuff too.

I really would not have thought he was capable of that after the last few seasons he's had. Especially impressive that it's in division 1. Well done.

 

[straw man]

... now timing how long it takes for Athlai to post love-smileys in this thread. Jeets is waiting

 

[_Ed_]

Blimey, that's impressive. Credit where it's due.

 

[Athlai]

I keep an eye on his performances so I'd already celebrated that.

But

 

[Slippaah]

Auckland Cricket

Some more questions ! How is the revamped Eden Park shaping up for cricket - improved boundaries on No 1 or..?? Will we see cricket there ? How about number 2 which looked like Gaddafi's compound a few months ago?

 

[AucklandCricket]

Eden Park

Some more questions ! How is the revamped Eden Park shaping up for cricket - improved boundaries on No 1 or..?? Will we see cricket there ? How about number 2 which looked like Gaddafi's compound a few months ago?

Had a search for pics of our hospitality setup and came up with this one: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auck...67386085&set=o.228527757169005&type=1&theater

On the right you can see the new South Stand that actually has retractable seats (where the ASB signs are) which allowed them to change the pitch from NW-SE to North South and creating a better oval. As for the No.2 we're back developing it after the Rugby World Cup as it's being used for the corporate hospitality zone so completely new field and pitch layout.

 

[Slippaah]

Auckland Cricket

Thanks very much. Helpful pic.But not many fixtures planned for Eden Park ( 1 or 2) this season, domestic or international it appears.Some fans are over Colin Maiden Park now !

On the domestic front I watched some recent UK County cricket (their 40/40 and 20/20 comps ) and saw Lou Vincent,Andre Adams,Kane Williamson, Southee et al .Was struck by the number of young players ( U 20) in these County sides. One or two teenagers in each team .Craig Meschede and George Dockrell for example.

In the contracted players lists in NZ (see above) where are the young players.What about apprentice/student contracts like the UK County scheme to keep talent in the fold? Some prominent younger players come from supportive cricket families - Bracewell, Latham, Cachopa etc. I know its the old story but how many slip away in these tough financial times when we need all hands on the Kiwi deck !

U 19 tours and series are being played in 2011- England, Australia, South Africa ,West Indies,India etc. bringing on youth. But in NZ,at Elite level, unlike Rugby, this school leaver age group is so low profile.Is it a money issue or....?

.

 

[AucklandCricket]

Eden Park No2 will only be reinstated in 2 seasons time giving it time to be fully developed for first class cricket. It seems the decision has been all but made not to have test cricket at Eden Park but we're hoping this will change when England next tour NZ. We'd definitely love to be back at Eden Park for our domestic games however Colin Maiden Park did actually have a great look and feel with the banks and the trees for a sunny day out at the park. Hopefully we can recapture that with the Eden Park development.

Auckland Cricket have also had a number of players overseas for the winter break including Guptill, Bates, Raval & McIntosh. It's a great opportunity for overseas exposure. As for the young players it comes down to the number of BLACKCAPS who are centrally contracted by NZ Cricket. Last season we were able to contract a few youngsters but this season we have Gareth Hopkins, Tim McIntosh and Daryl Tuffey all back on domestic contracts and their are only 12 contracts available per MA. We produce many players who go on to play for other MA's. We'd love to be able to keep them all but its the nature of the size of Auckland's cricket-playing population and the quality of our high performance program. There's also a strong push to continue the development of quality cricketers from school age groups right through to the professional men's and women's levels so I think we're in good shape.

Thanks very much. Helpful pic.But not many fixtures planned for Eden Park ( 1 or 2) this season, domestic or international it appears.Some fans are over Colin Maiden Park now !

On the domestic front I watched some recent UK County cricket (their 40/40 and 20/20 comps ) and saw Lou Vincent,Andre Adams,Kane Williamson, Southee et al .Was struck by the number of young players ( U 20) in these County sides. One or two teenagers in each team .Craig Meschede and George Dockrell for example.

In the contracted players lists in NZ (see above) where are the young players.What about apprentice/student contracts like the UK County scheme to keep talent in the fold? Some prominent younger players come from supportive cricket families - Bracewell, Latham, Cachopa etc. I know its the old story but how many slip away in these tough financial times when we need all hands on the Kiwi deck !

U 19 tours and series are being played in 2011- England, Australia, South Africa ,West Indies,India etc. bringing on youth. But in NZ,at Elite level, unlike Rugby, this school leaver age group is so low profile.Is it a money issue or....?

.

 

[Slippaah]

Auckland Cricket

Thanks again.Pleased to hear that Auckland cricket is in good shape.

Just heard the news re a young Auckland player heading south, after my last post, and did not mean to touch on a sensitive area.

Nothing is more important in N Z than investment in young cricketers. Junior development can take place at MA "A" level too. If talented 18-19 year olds cannot perform at "A" level after a couple of seasons with HP coaching and support then its time to look at the next crop coming through. Pro sport is cut throat these days but most parents cannot subsidise the development cost so there will be slippage of talent. Thats why the UK County approach and junior style contracts are a model but guess there is no money around.

Cricket does not beat its drum that loudly in an effort to keep youngsters( and parents) interested . Watched some School 1st XV Rugby on Sky TV and it was amazing to see the size of some crowds . More than at some ITM games. And the NRL and the Junior Warriors have their excellent pathway for youngsters with a sponsored No Work, No Play programme to get players doing apprenticeships or going to Uni or Polytech.Thats reassuring for parents and attracts families to that code.

N Z Cricket has no visible equivalent.For example there used to be a National knock out Schools Cricket comp. which was dominated by CBHS,PNBHS, HBHS and AGS and many schools nationwide ( over 150)competed.Thats huge but you never hear about it. And see the final on TV perhaps . Forget it. Occasionally Schools cricket gets a mention in College Sport in the Herald .Notable cricket writers of yesteryear with big cricket spreads in the papers have disappeared .No junior cricket profile or buzz in the media.So Gisborne's R & V or the beach in summer will win in the end.

Colin Maiden Park is ok on a sunny day but to hear that Eden Park no 1,after its revamp, is not to be used for test cricket any more. Wow ! That will be a surprise and disappointment to Auckland fans. And No. 2 out of action for 2 more seasons ! Gee whiz.

 

[SilentOne]

Test Cricket back at Eden Park? No thanks.

 

[AucklandCricket]

You raise some very good points and we're definitely looking at every aspect of the game for areas of improvement. Although many people see the visible results of our successes on the field in the Auckland Aces, its also important to recognise the work that goes on at the junior and youth development level both through clubs and schools.

Our Club is the Hub scheme has seen an average of $500,000 reinvested in clubs each year to improve their management and high performance systems. Our link with the Auckland Secondary Schools Cricket Association means that we're able to develop professional pathways for school aged cricketers. The Auckland Cricket Development Fund has been set up to raise money for the likes of cricket scholarships, infrastructure and hardship funds too. We have recently developed a cricket program with Auckland University of Technology and this has seen a few international students as well as Development Academy players gain professional qualifications that would help them further their professional sporting careers.

There are definitely areas to be improved on and at the national level we've created more opportunities for MA's to get together and discuss all these issues. As for media coverage each MA and NZC have a well-coordinated marketing program but nothing speaks louder than success on the field. Hopefully the Aces successes last year, the Blackcaps improving form in the World Cup, South Africa touring NZ and the prospect of Champions League success will all help to raise the profile and interest in the sport.

As for Eden Park, we're all hoping negotiations go favorably for test cricket at the park (Oh and the No.2 is not out for 2 seasons, just this upcoming season). Fans vote for what they want to see at the venues by their attendance and clearly test cricket numbers in most areas do not currently warrant being played in large stadiums. That doesn't mean we don't want it there or it won't change. We'd love to capture the spirit of entertainment and excitement the Ashes series holds.

Thanks again.Pleased to hear that Auckland cricket is in good shape.

Just heard the news re a young Auckland player heading south, after my last post, and did not mean to touch on a sensitive area.

Nothing is more important in N Z than investment in young cricketers. Junior development can take place at MA "A" level too. If talented 18-19 year olds cannot perform at "A" level after a couple of seasons with HP coaching and support then its time to look at the next crop coming through. Pro sport is cut throat these days but most parents cannot subsidise the development cost so there will be slippage of talent. Thats why the UK County approach and junior style contracts are a model but guess there is no money around.

Cricket does not beat its drum that loudly in an effort to keep youngsters( and parents) interested . Watched some School 1st XV Rugby on Sky TV and it was amazing to see the size of some crowds . More than at some ITM games. And the NRL and the Junior Warriors have their excellent pathway for youngsters with a sponsored No Work, No Play programme to get players doing apprenticeships or going to Uni or Polytech.Thats reassuring for parents and attracts families to that code.

N Z Cricket has no visible equivalent.For example there used to be a National knock out Schools Cricket comp. which was dominated by CBHS,PNBHS, HBHS and AGS and many schools nationwide ( over 150)competed.Thats huge but you never hear about it. And see the final on TV perhaps . Forget it. Occasionally Schools cricket gets a mention in College Sport in the Herald .Notable cricket writers of yesteryear with big cricket spreads in the papers have disappeared .No junior cricket profile or buzz in the media.So Gisborne's R & V or the beach in summer will win in the end.

Colin Maiden Park is ok on a sunny day but to hear that Eden Park no 1,after its revamp, is not to be used for test cricket any more. Wow ! That will be a surprise and disappointment to Auckland fans. And No. 2 out of action for 2 more seasons ! Gee whiz.