New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has apologised to the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) for the controversial marketing slogan to promote the first Test between New Zealand and West Indies in Dunedin next month. Justin Vaughan, NZC's chief executive, assured that the slogan "It's all white here!", adopted by Otago Cricket, the staging association, was intended to promote Test cricket and not anger anybody.

"New Zealand Cricket absolutely accepts the assurances of all concerned in Dunedin that the promotion was put together with the best of intentions and with no racial overtones - it was a way of celebrating the biggest Test match in Dunedin for many years," Vaughan said in a press release.

"At the same time, I appreciate that it had the potential to be misinterpreted, and I apologise to the West Indies players and to the officials for any offence taken - none was intended."

The WIPA had earlier slammed the slogan, suggesting that it was loaded with racial innuendoes. One commentator, Billy Ibadulla, said "the connection between the phrase and white clothing is stupid at best, and grievous at worst."

The University Oval, the newest Test centre in the country, will host the match from December 11. It hosted Bangladesh for a Test in January when the city had its first taste of international cricket in nearly three years after Carisbrook ceased to be a venue.