Dates changed to avoid rugby clash during South African tour

New Zealand Cricket has changed the date of its Christchurch and Wellington National Bank Series ODI matches against South Africa to avoid a potential clash with a Crusaders Super 12 match in Christchurch, following a late change to the Super 12 schedule.

Martin Snedden, the NZC chief executive said NZC agreed to the change of date of the Christchurch match to avoid a head-to-head clash with a Crusaders Super 12 match which otherwise might have been played at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch on the same day as the Jade Stadium ODI.

The Jade Stadium ODI has been moved from Saturday February 21 to Tuesday February 17 (as a day-night fixture) allowing the Crusaders Super 12 match to be played at Jade Stadium on the Saturday.

As a result the Wellington ODI has been transferred from Wednesday February 18 to Friday February 20 (as a day-night fixture).

"It is unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this position. We worked with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to avoid a scheduling clash before finalising our itinerary," Snedden said.

"Following a late change to the Super 12 schedule, Canterbury Rugby approached us with a joint marketing proposal which included a substantial compensation package if we transferred our Jade Stadium match from the Saturday.

"It would have hurt both cricket and rugby to play head-to-head matches in Christchurch and would not have been good for fans of both sports to be forced to choose between the two matches. We will continue to work with rugby in the hope that scheduling issues can be avoided in the future," he said.