NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink (Video grab) New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink resigned on Friday, ending a turbulent tenure marked by a prolonged and worsening dispute over the future of T20 cricket in the country. Weenink, a businessman and former first-class cricketer at Wellington, has stepped down after more than two years in the role, with major differences emerging between him, the players and New Zealand’s six member associations.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!At the heart of the disagreement was the proposed T20 franchise competition, tentatively named NZ20, which is seen as a replacement for the existing domestic Super Smash. The proposed league would seek foreign investment and ownership, potentially including Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, and aims to attract top overseas players to New Zealand.
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Players and member associations strongly support the NZ20 concept and see it as a necessary development for the game in the country. New Zealand remains the only full ICC member without a dedicated T20 franchise league and stakeholders believe the new competition will strengthen the domestic structure, increase player earnings and raise the overall standard of cricket.However, Weenink was believed to favor an alternative model, including the possibility of the New Zealand-based franchise entering Australia’s Big Bash League. This difference in strategic vision ultimately proved irreconcilable.
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“After careful consideration, it has become clear that I have a different view from several member associations … on the future priorities of the NZC,” Weenink said in a statement. “Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organization for new leadership to take NZC forward from here.”Support for NZ20 from the playing group was loud. Test captain Tom Latham publicly backed the proposal last week, calling it a “great initiative” and highlighting the benefits of hosting international players to raise standards across the game. White ball captain Mitchell Santner also supported the new competition.Weenink will officially end his tenure as CEO of the NZC on January 30, with the NZ20 debate now expected to accelerate under new leadership.
