New Zealand Cricket chief Geoff Allott (IANS Photo)
What does India’s upcoming tour mean to New Zealand Cricket?It’s a massive moment. An Indian tour is always one we look forward to, but this will be the biggest tour we’ve ever had in New Zealand. It’s a record for us in terms of the amount of cricket being played in a single series.
The quality of the opposition and the respect we have for India make it a mouth-watering contest.Financially, how significant is a tour by India?Naturally, there are major commercial benefits, but it’s about a lot more than finances. India are one of the premier teams in world cricket, and whenever they tour New Zealand there’s tremendous excitement among fans, sponsors and broadcasters.
What sort of response have you seen from fans?It’s been tremendous. In fact, it’s a record for us. We’ve sold more than 85,000 tickets already, and we’re still some time away from the first match.
(Oct 22). We’re well above budget and well ahead of where we would normally be. The colour, energy and excitement that come with an Indian tour are something we all enjoy.Indian fans still remember some of New Zealand’s seam-friendly wickets from the past, especially 2002. What can they expect this time?We’ve worked really hard over many years to produce high-quality international wickets. Our groundsmen are renowned around the world for the surfaces they prepare.
We made a conscious decision that you can’t become a top international side unless you’re prepared to play teams on good, even wickets. We want contests between two quality sides.As the joint-highest wicket-taker at the 1999 World Cup, are you tempted to put the bowling boots back on when you see some of those green pitches?(Laughs) No, I think those days are behind me. I’ll leave that to the current players. But I understand why people ask the question.
The conditions can still offer something for bowlers, especially early in the summer, but our goal is to produce balanced wickets that make for outstanding cricket.Could we see a dedicated India-New Zealand trophy in the future dedicated to honouring legends of the two countries?It’s certainly something we’d consider. India and New Zealand have enjoyed a fantastic relationship for a very long time. We compete fiercely on the field, but there is huge respect off it.
We’ve had strong historical connections, and it’s a relationship we value enormously.The IPL has become a major platform for New Zealand players and coaches. How important has it been for New Zealand cricket?The IPL has been hugely important. It’s a world-leading tournament, incredibly well run by the BCCI. From a New Zealand Cricket perspective, it’s given not only our players but also our coaches tremendous opportunities to grow and develop. Whether it’s exposure to high-performance environments, different coaching styles or working alongside some of the best players in the world, there are enormous benefits.New Zealand coaches seem to be in demand everywhere. Why do you think that is?We’ve got plenty of coaches around the world who have done exceedingly well. You look at Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Jeetan Patel and many others. I think one of the strengths Kiwis bring is the ability to build relationships. Indians and Kiwis connect on a level that goes far beyond cricket. Our coaches adapt well, communicate well and work effectively in different cultures.Since 2015, New Zealand have reached multiple ICC finals and won the World Test Championship. What’s behind that consistency?We’re a nation of about five-and-a-half million people, so there’s a saying that we punch above our weight. A lot of it comes down to culture, leadership and the quality of our high-performance system. We have players who are incredibly passionate about representing New Zealand, and that helps us compete with the best teams in the world.With Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee moving through different stages of their careers, does New Zealand need a superstar figure to sell the game?No, I don’t think so. Those players are legends and have contributed enormously, but I’m very confident about the talent coming through.
The strength of New Zealand cricket has always been its collective culture rather than reliance on one individual.Has New Zealand’s success in Test cricket increased interest in the format?We’ve always had a strong affection for Test cricket. The World Test Championship win was obviously a special moment, but Test cricket has deep roots in New Zealand. There’s still something unique about the format. The momentum shifts, the tactical battles and the nuances of the game are incredibly appealing.
We’re very committed to it.You have a personal connection with India as well, don’t you?Yes. I spent 14 years building a food and beverage business in India before taking up this role. It was going to take a lot to drag me away because I love the country and its people. Through cricket and business, I’ve been fortunate to build many relationships in India, and that’s why this series is particularly special for me.Finally, what are your expectations from the tour?I think it will be a terrific contest across formats. The rankings show how competitive India and New Zealand are against each other. With record ticket sales, packed venues and two quality teams, we’re expecting a fantastic series and a wonderful celebration of the relationship between our two countries.(Watch India’s tour of New Zealand, starting Oct 22, on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV)