Twenty20 'part of future of cricket' - Snedden

Twenty20 is a huge hit in New Zealand © Getty Images

The success of Twenty20 cricket in New Zealand has prompted Martin Snedden, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive, to label the short format as "part of the future of cricket". After one Test during Sri Lanka's winter tour was dropped in favor of Twenty20, Snedden acknowledged that NZC was left with little choice but to so.

"The bottom line was that had we gone with three tests and five ODIs we wouldn't have had time for the Twenty20," Snedden told stuff.co.nz. "We are fairly keen to ensure that Twenty20 is part of any international itinerary going forward. The two matches we've played have been extremely successful and it's going to be a part of international cricket with a Twenty20 World Cup scheduled in South Africa next year."

In addition an extra Test would have had to start in November when the weather was unsettled. "The reality here is Twenty20 is going to be part of the future of cricket," Snedden added. "We can either resist that or accept that and plan accordingly. I love Test cricket and we have plenty coming up [48 Tests in the next six years]."

Snedded also confirmed that Hamilton's Seddon Park - back on the international map with ODIs against Sri Lanka and Australia lined up - was not allocated one of the two Test due to the unsettled weather before Christmas. Of the opinion that the venue was a viable option for the ODIs, Snedden said: "We're satisfied that the park can host both forms of the game satisfactorily and it will be in the mix for a test next time. A few years ago we would have seen it as only a test venue."