Second-tier players not forgotten after all

Second-tier New Zealand provincial players will have their competition after all.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) reinstated the second XI competition today.

It had been a victim of NZC's withdrawal from the bargaining process last week when a final offer was not accepted by the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association.

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said the Provincial A competition, as it is known, was a necessary part of the elite player development pathway.

He said the reinstatement was a gesture of goodwill by NZC to the players and was a demonstration of the intention to work with players and to return to business as usual as quickly as possible.

Like other tournaments on the New Zealand scene, a large proportion of the competition will be staged at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University between January 2 and January 14. The second round of the competition will be played at various centres around New Zealand in February at venues, and on dates, still to be finalised.

Snedden also announced that the Indian tour opener, a Super Max international to be played at Jade Stadium on December 4 will continue as planned.

"There has been some confusion among cricket fans about this match. The State Max competition to be played between our domestic first-class teams was cancelled as a result of the player payment dispute. The Max Blacks v India match will continue as scheduled," he said.