Cricket: OCA gives backing for domestic review

Ross Dykes.
Ross Dykes.
New Zealand domestic cricket is not the moribund scene some are suggesting, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes says.

However, he also believes domestic cricket is in need of rejuvenation.

The national body is reviewing how the sport is administered and delivered and keeping an open mind about some recommended changes, which include selling up to a 49% stake in teams.

A move towards partial privatisation has been in the pipeline since 2011 and is based on the premise the domestic game is failing to capitalise commercially on its perceived market share.

''In principle, [the OCA] thinks it is very timely to have a review of domestic cricket,'' Dyke said.

''We have been doing the same old, same old, and it does need addressing. In terms of the investment side, that could be something which falls out of this. We see that as being by product of the need for change.''

The big challenge, Dykes said, was attracting more people along to watch domestic cricket. Crowds for Otago's home one-day games have plummeted in recent years. Domestic twenty20 games are also not attracting people in the same numbers.

''We certainly know a healthy number of people follow cricket but we do need to get them to the ground to sustain the game financially and to use the game as a development tool.''

One of the keys for domestic cricket is ensuring the game is broadcast on television. That means Sky has a lot of clout when deciding what shape domestic competitions will take in the future.

HRV Cup games were scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights during November this summer because that is when Sky had available time slots.

While it was great for television audiences, getting people along to the ground that early in the summer in the South was always going to be a big ask. Clearly there are some conflicting forces which will need working through.

''If we can up the profile of our game, then we will be able to attract more sponsors, which is why we need to have a meaningful competition which sponsors will want to put their names to. So for me, getting the structure of our competitions right is vitally important.''

Once the structure is in place, Dykes said the next step was to invite investment. Whether there would be any interest from the community was unknown.

''I think that is one of the things we worry about down here. We are only 7% of the national population and don't, any longer, have an awful lot of head offices based here.

''But that does not mean to say there is not some entrepreneur or some person who sees the Volts as being a vehicle that they could promote themselves through.''

Dykes said talk domestic cricket might need to shift from its traditional bases to the provinces to help rejuvenate the sport was nonsense.

''It does not make sense. For example, in our case, why would we move the headquarters out of Dunedin after all the investment that has gone into making [the University Oval] a first-class international venue? That is just a bit silly, really.''

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM