CLEAR Black Caps accept invitation to Sharjah in April 2002

New Zealand Cricket today confirmed it had accepted an invitation to compete in The Cricketers' Benefit Fund tri-series in Sharjah next April.

The CLEAR Black Caps will contest the one-day tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka with the proposed dates being 10-20 April 2002.

The CLEAR Black Caps will play Sri Lanka and Pakistan twice and the top two teams after the pool play will contest a final.

Chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, Martin Snedden, said the invitation was timely given the cancellation of the Pakistan tour and New Zealand Cricket's desire to play as much one-day cricket as possible leading into the next World Cup.

"The next 18 months is vital as a build-up to the Cricket World Cup in South Africa in February 2003. The Sharjah tournament will be useful in the continued development of our one-day side leading into the World Cup," Snedden said.

He said that when the invitation was first received New Zealand Cricket had not rushed into a decision and were mindful of the demands on players who will play against Australia, Bangladesh and England before Sharjah, and travel to the West Indies in late May.

"We sat down with the medical and fitness specialists, and we consulted with the CLEAR Black Caps team management and the players themselves. There was a unanimous view from all parties that the benefits of participating outweighed any possible downside," Snedden said.