Blackcap Daryl Mitchell has doubled down on his statements surrounding a Kiwi team in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL). He believes focusing on our own game is more important in helping improve the state of the game in New Zealand.
Mitchell backs New Zealand’s game, saying that we are able to develop our own players without having to delve into the bigger Australian markets.
“We’ve got so much talent here in New Zealand, and you can see that by the amount of players we’ve produced over the last decade or so, and how we’ve competed in the world league. I’d love for us to keep trying to invest into our own tournaments and grow our own players.”
Mitchell declined to comment on whether the BBL opportunity was more of a money grab, or for the better of the game in NZ, but made it clear that he thought it was necessary that our local tournaments stay strong.
Mitchell isn’t worried though.
“I’m sure in the future that we will continue to develop the next generation of cricketers to be world class.”
Having those local tournaments alive and well is definitely important. It’s the inspiration and motivation to a lot of kids says Mitchell, who was inspired similarly himself.
“As a kid growing up I was on the banks watching the likes of Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, and I think that to keep trying to inspire the next generation of cricketers to play cricket in New Zealand is really important, and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
NZC are currently ‘exploring’ the opportunity.