IPL helped develop Kiwi players and coaches: New Zealand Cricket chief Geoff Allott

New Zealand Cricket chief Geoff Allott (IANS photo) What does the upcoming India tour mean? New Zealand Cricket?It’s a huge moment. An India tour is always one we look forward to, but this will be the biggest tour we’ve ever had in New Zealand. It is a record for us in the number of crickets played in one series. The quality of the opposition and the respect we have for India makes it a mouth-watering contest.How significant is the India tour financially?Of course there are great commercial benefits, but it is about much more than finance. India is one of the premier teams in world cricket and whenever they tour New Zealand there is huge excitement among fans, sponsors and broadcasters.What kind of response have you seen from fans?It was amazing. In fact, this is a record for us. We’ve already sold over 85,000 tickets and we’re still some time away from the first game. (October 22). We are way over budget and way ahead of where we would normally be. The colour, energy and excitement that comes with an Indian tour is something we all enjoy.Indian fans still remember some of New Zealand’s wickets from the past, especially from 2002. What can they expect this time?We have worked really hard for many years to produce high quality international goals. Our ground technicians are renowned worldwide for the surfaces they prepare. We made a conscious decision that you cannot become a top international team unless you are prepared to play teams on good, even wickets. We want matches between two quality sides.Are you tempted to put on your bowling shoes when you see some of those green pitches, like the top keeper in the 1999 World Cup?(laughs) No, I think those days are behind me. I’ll leave that to the current players. But I understand why people ask. The conditions can still offer something to the bowlers, especially early in the summer, but we aim to produce balanced wickets that allow for excellent cricket.Could we see a dedicated India-New Zealand trophy dedicated to honoring the legends of the two countries in the future?It’s definitely something we would consider. India and New Zealand have had a fantastic relationship for a very long time. We are fiercely competitive on the field, but there is tremendous respect off it. We have had strong historical ties and it is a relationship that we value immensely.The IPL has become a major platform for New Zealand players and coaches. How important was it to New Zealand cricket?The IPL was extremely important. It is the world’s premier tournament, incredibly well run by the BCCI. From New Zealand Cricket’s point of view, this gives not only our players but also our coaches huge opportunities to grow and develop. Whether it’s exposure to a high-performance environment, different coaching styles or working alongside some of the best players in the world, there are huge benefits.New Zealand coaches seem to be in demand everywhere. Why do you think this is so?We have a lot of trainers around the world who have done exceptionally well. You will see Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Jeetan Patel and many more. I think one of Kiwi’s strengths is the ability to build relationships. Indians and Kiwis bond at a level that goes far beyond cricket. Our trainers adapt well, communicate well and work effectively in different cultures.Since 2015, New Zealand have reached and won several ICC finals World Test Championship. What is behind the consistency?We are a nation of about five and a half million people, so they say we punch above our weight. Much depends on the culture, leadership and quality of our high performance system. We have players who are incredibly passionate about representing New Zealand and that helps us compete with the best teams in the world.WITH Kane WilliamsonWith Trent Boult and Tim Southee going through different phases of their careers, does New Zealand need a superstar figure to sell the game?No, I don’t think so. These players are legends and have contributed immensely to this, but I am very confident in the talent that will emerge. The strength of New Zealand cricket has always been its collective culture rather than reliance on one individual.Has New Zealand’s success in Test cricket increased interest in the format?We have always had a strong affinity for Test cricket. Winning the World Test Championship was a special moment, of course, but Test cricket has deep roots in New Zealand. There’s still something unique about the format. The momentum shifts, tactical battles, and nuances of gameplay are incredibly appealing. We are very committed to it.You also have a personal connection to India, don’t you?Yes. I spent 14 years building the food and beverage business in India before taking on this role. It took a lot to drag me away because I love this country and its people. Through cricket and business, I have been fortunate enough to develop many relationships in India, which makes this series particularly special for me.Finally, what do you expect from the tour?I think it will be a great competition across formats. The ranking shows how competitive India and New Zealand are against each other. With record ticket sales, packed venues and two quality teams, we expect a fantastic series and a wonderful celebration of the relationship between our two countries.(Watch India’s tour of New Zealand starting October 22 on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV)