Interest in coming tests high: Vance

Press, 4 February 1986, Page 38

Interest in coming tests high: Vance

PA Wellington Despite saturation coverage of world series cricket in Australia, interest in the coming test series against Australia among both players and the public is high, says the chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr Bob Vance. New Zealand failed to make the finals of the one day series but even after watching 10 televised matches, New Zealand cricket fans were still looking forward to the tour by Allan Border’s team, said Mr Vance. “I don’t think they’re bored with cricket,” he said. “All the signs indicate there is tremendous interest with a lot of people ringing up to find out where they can buy tickets.

“The other point is that there is a big difference between actually being there and watching it on televsion.”

Mr Vance said the New Zealand team would be looking forward to a return to tests and could benefit from failing to reach the world series finals.

“I believe our chaps have had a lot more trouble adjusting to one day cricket from test matches than the Australians have, but I think they’ll be able to adjust back to five day cricket more easily. “The fact that they haven’t made the finals, although I’m sure the team will be disappointed, could be a good thing in the long run,” he said. “By the time they get here, I think the Australians will be pretty tired.” Mr Vance said there were considerable problems involved in arranging for some future world series matches to be played in New Zealand. Sunday’s match against India was played in Launceston, Tasmania,

probably further away from Sydney than Auckland as far as travel problems are concerned.

“The biggest problem is the conflicting sponsorship of international cricket in the two countries,” Mr Vance said. “There are so many things I don’t know about, but I certainly wouldn’t be in favour of hosting a match at Eden Park in front of 40,000 people, with all the proceeds going to the Australian Cricket Board.

“It’s not my problem, but I think it would be very difficult,” he added. However, Mr Vance said that other international one day matches might be played in this country in the future.

“I think it would be possible, with a World Cup competition played in Australasia, to have matches in New Zealand, depending on the sponsorship issue being settled,” Mr Vance said.