New Zealand look to expand Twenty20 concept

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is hopeful that the Twenty20 international against West Indies at Auckland on February 16 will be more successful than last year's match against Australia.

Launched last season in unique retro-style - New Zealand players donned beige uniforms and hairdos against Australia and attracted around 25,000 fans - the Twenty20 concept has found success at the domestic level. Figures revealed that an average of about 2500 fans turned in to view this season's trial format of two games per team in the round-robin phase.

Peter Dwan, the NZC Marketing Manager, said that Chris Cairns's retirement following the match against the West Indies should encourage spectators to flock to Eden Park. Dwan, confident that a longer competition would work, also maintained that the six domestic associations, public and cricketers have responded well to Twenty20 cricket.

Around 3000-4000 fans are expected for the final of the inaugural competition between Auckland and Canterbury at Eden Park on Sunday.