Indian broadcasters have an issue with the timings of limited-overs cricket in New Zealand and in the result, Eden Park (Auckland) can lose to host the matches during India tour of New Zealand in early next year.
India will tour New Zealand in next year’s January and February where they will play five ODIs and three T20Is against the hosts. In 2017, Star Sports have won the broadcasting rights in the Indian sub-continental for New Zealand’s home international cricket matches till 2020.
Also read: Sri Lankan iconic Galle cricket stadium is in danger
According to the recent report in The New Zealand Herald, the 2018-19 home schedules are going to be a massive debate between New Zealand Cricket and Star Sports.
According to the deal, the broadcasters have asked the management to begin all the limited-overs matches in that India’s tour of New Zealand an hour later than usual.
It means, according to the deal, the ODIs would begin at 3 pm local time (7:30 am IST) and T20Is would begin at 8 pm local time (12:30 pm IST), once daylight savings begins in October.
If the matches run till the last overs in both innings, these matches would finish around 11 pm local time (3:30 pm IST).
Also read: Two Indians Summoned In South Africa spot-fixing fiasco
In a year, Eden Park can host 25-night events. The venue has permission to organise any cricket matches till the local time at 10 pm. It means the management would need the necessary consent to extend the time frame.
Auckland City Council can provide the necessary consent for a five-figure fee, according to the sources of The New Zealand Herald.
Also read: David Warner is desperate to return to the Australian cricket team
Otherwise, Eden Park Trust can take the issue to the environment court that will cost more than $100,000 and also can take one month to get the decision.
In the worst possible case, Eden Park can only organise one afternoon T20I during India’s entire tour and one ODI against Sri Lanka ahead of the beginning of India’s tour in New Zealand.
As further important information, Eden Park costs around $250,000 for an ODI, according to The New Zealand Herald.
