This has likely been discussed before but I was daydreaming about NZ teams joining Australian teams in a competition to improve both countries cricket performances and domestic crowds.
I think adding 3 teams from NZ would be something very good for both countries, possibly from here a Northern (ND/AK), Central (CD,WN) and Southern (CA, OT) to join all of their competitions.
Australia are in a bit of a glut at the moment (other than the success of the BBL) and New Zealand's current rise in the world game may add extra interest to people on both sides of the Tasman in the domestic One Dayers and First Class games while exposing them to a wider range of players, strategies and pitch types.
The cons of course are the travel, a lesser competition here due to losing players to the Trans-Tasman comp, will it actually increase viewer number AND do Aussie really need us?
We of course would benefit hugely from the competition - I believe any loss of provincial players would open up more contract spots in the Provincial teams and therefore more players with First Class exposure so this is not a bad thing although we would likely see a decrease in attendances at those provincial games (but more crowds at the trans-tasman games with BBL and Sheffield Shield games played here).
Thoughts?
Also, about pitches...wouldn't it be great if each provincial team had pitches set up for different strengths? It would expose our players to a wider range of playing surfaces before making NZ A or Blackcaps sides and then encountering similar pitches overseas.
- Fast and hard tracks in Auckland and ND
- Spinner friendly tracks in Canterbury and CD
- Green seamers in Otaga and Wellington.