Shell Cup rethink for New Zealand Cricket

Shell Cup cricket in New Zealand is to be the subject of a total rethink by New Zealand Cricket after this year's disappointing competition.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Christopher Doig said the most worrying feature of the competition for him this year was the inconsistent performances of batsmen.

"The wickets were certainly not the primary factor in poor performances," he said.

"We saw in Australia yesterday that even 279 was not a good enough score to win.

"Even if sides score 250/260 they are still well short of what is required.

"We've got to look at the whole issue and we are doing some research at the moment.

"But the games have to be at the best venues, the conditions have to be ideal and the associations and their coaching staff have to set the bar higher in their performances," he said.

Doig said he was not surprised at the lower standards because they were a trend and for that reason the situation needed to be well thought through.

Meanwhile, Doig confirmed that New Zealand has been offered the next Youth World Cup to be held in 2002.

Hosting the Cup has been debated by the board of NZC and there were still a few issues to tidy up, especially with the International Cricket Council and World Sports Group which now markets the sport globally.

The tournament would be played in two pools of eight with semi-finals and a final. The semi-finals and finals may be played at one venue, with Lincoln University a possible venue after the success of the staging of the CricInfo Women's World Cup this year.

"We also need to confirm the time of the year for the tournament and planning is in the very early stages," he said.

NZC benefactor Michael Watt is to hold a press conference at BIL Oval during the lunch break of the Youth International between South Africa and New Zealand on Monday.

It has been announced in England that he is donating $US430,000 to help young cricketers in New Zealand.