Such overlap in scheduling could impact the availability of foreign players. However, Walter believes that if New Zealand Cricket can secure some of the world’s leading T20 stars, the competition could significantly boost the domestic game. Walter speaks from experience, having overseen South Africa’s white-ball sides during the launch of the SA20 in 2023, shortly after taking charge.
“The advantage lies in the fact that you can get quality professionals overseas [in the playing XI]you actually make your team better with four men. So you replace the four weakest cricketers with four internationally strong cricketers. So it should only make the competition stronger. For example, if the NZ20 were to go in that direction, you would make the competition stronger,” said Walter, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The first edition of the tournament was briefly suspended for a week to give South Africa the opportunity to play a must-win ODI series against England, which was crucial to their qualification for that year’s World Cup. However, the second season overlaps with a Test series in New Zealand. As a result, South Africa fielded a second-string side for the tour and suffered a series defeat. Despite that setback, they won the World Test Championship title in the same cycle.
The SA20 has also had a direct impact on national team selection. The second season of the tournament played a key role in helping Walter finalize the South African squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the team reached the final. Similarly, the fourth season assisted South African all-format coach Shukri Conrad in selecting his squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, Walter believes that talent identification and squad selection are not necessarily the biggest benefits of a franchise league.
“We’ve seen how the SA20 has revived cricket in the country, haven’t we? Somehow the crowds were suddenly huge and domestic cricketers became household names,” Walter said.
Whether the same success can be replicated in New Zealand remains uncertain, and that’s where Walter has his reservations. While he has expressed support for the country’s existing cricket structures, he remains open to possible changes.
“The New Zealand T20 competition is very strong. I think it’s underrated from a strength point of view. But that’s also the mechanics of it. We have smaller audiences in New Zealand, and that’s actually part of the appeal of New Zealand cricket. It’s relaxed and fun and enjoyable. But you don’t get those huge crowds,” Walter said.
“And that wouldn’t necessarily change if you change the competition. Obviously the population size is small. But it would potentially increase interest in the game, because of the foreign professionals who make the game stronger. We know the future will look different for domestic competition in New Zealand. What that will ultimately look like, I’m not sure at the moment,” he concluded.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#Rob #Walter #backing #Zealands #private #T20 #league #sees #foreign #stars #key #success