ICC to donate US $1 million to NZC

The ICC will donate US $1 million to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to help in the building of its new office after its original premises in Christchurch were destroyed in the February 22 earthquake. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.3, left more than 65 people dead and caused widespread damage in Christchurch.

NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan, who said that he was yet to be informed of the exact details of the donation, was grateful to the ICC for its magnanimous gesture. "It is very generous on behalf of the ICC," Vaughan said. "I know they were very concerned and saddened by the events in Christchurch at the end of February. You're sort of blown away, really, it is such a wonderful, generous offer."

NZC is currently operating out of temporary offices in Lincoln, where its high performance center is also located, and Vaughan said that plans were afoot to work out a permanent base in Lincoln.

"It is the first place to look - we have our high performance base out here, we now have our headquarters out here so that is definitely our default option."

Vaughan said that he would soon meet with New Zealand coach John Wright to review the team's World Cup performance, where they made the semi-finals, and look at the possibility of retaining bowling coach Allan Donald and assistant coach Trent Woodhill as well as find a replacement for manager Dave Currie.