Twenty20 tournament to launch domestic season

New Zealand's domestic season will begin this year with a provincial Twenty20 knockout tournament, in Invercargill, in November.

All six major associations are expected to compete in the tournament from November 10-12, with the winners taking home a prize of NZ$30,000. Martin Snedden, chief executive New Zealand Cricket, said the proposal for the tournament came from Southland Cricket.

"Domestic Twenty20 cricket had a great start last season and we hope that this knockout tournament will help build on that success," he said. "The tournament will give the cricket season an exciting start and the tournament is expected to create a lot of interest in Southland.

The tournament begins on November 10. Each venue will host a semi-final on Sunday November 12, with the final taking place at the recently redeveloped Queens Park at 3pm. An expanded State Twenty20 tournament will take place during the season, as previously announced.