New Zealand withdraw from the Knockout Trophy; France named as replacement
“A shocking decision, but not surprising considering the financial state Cricket New Zealand has been over the past few years”
France (currently ranked 16th in the ODI rankings) will replace New Zealand, the 5th best-ranked ODI team in the 2000 WCC Knockout Trophy © April 1, 2000
New Zealand have announced their decision to withdraw from the inaugural edition of the Knockout Trophy mere weeks before its commencement. A shocking decision, but not surprising considering the financial state Cricket New Zealand has been over the past few years.
Late last year, Cricket New Zealand funneled millions of dollars to ensure their bid to host the 2003 WCC Cricket World Cup (alongside Niue) did not go to waste. A risky move from the board, but it paid off in spades. Even though it was a great tactical success, and hosting the tournament now is likely going to aid New Zealand greatly economically, it has left their cricket board in ruins until the World Cup comes around.
The money Cricket New Zealand is projected to make back from the event in 2003 will more than make up for their decision of spending themselves dry. However, it has left their cricket board in a position where they do not have enough funds to even arrange a flight to Greece, where the Knockout Trophy is being hosted.
Not only has it forced them to withdraw from the tournament, it has also left their scheduled tour to Guernsey in December in jeopardy. Cricket New Zealand will look for sponsors to finance their tour later in the year, but the prospects of that are incredibly bleak considering their failure to do so for the Knockout Trophy, a tour much greater in stature.
Cricket New Zealand submitted their withdrawal to the World Cricket Conference last week. With the tournament mere weeks away from having its first ball bowled, Fédération Française de Criquet was contacted and asked to submit a preliminary squad alongside all needed documentations for the traveling players and officials so the global governing body of the sport could name them as the official replacement.
France are currently ranked 16th in the WCC ODI Team Rankings. They are the best-ranked team to not be in the official draw for the tournament, missing out as Greece (a team ranked below them) qualified ahead of them as tournament hosts. France will play North Korea in their Round of 16 match at The Marina Gouvia in Corfu. Perhaps a blessing in disguise for North Korea who now have a lower-ranked opponent in their first round match due to the financial woes of the 5th-best ODI team in the world.