Tom Latham Backs Proposed NZ20 League, Says He Wants Players at Home Instead of Overseas T20s

New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham has thrown his support behind the proposed NZ20 league, calling it a “great initiative” that could significantly elevate the standard of domestic cricket. The six-team franchise competition — still awaiting approval from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) — is being targeted for a January 2027 launch for men, with a women’s edition to follow later that year. It is set to replace the long-running Super Smash.

Speaking in Wellington ahead of the second Test against West Indies, Latham said New Zealand needed its own franchise tournament to keep pace with the global cricket landscape.

“We’re the only Test-playing nation without a franchise competition,” Latham said. “What NZ20 will bring to cricket here will be hugely beneficial — international players boosting standards, young players learning from experienced professionals, and pushing the game forward in New Zealand.”

Tournament Inspired by Former Players

The NZ20 concept originated from former New Zealand stars, including Stephen Fleming, who consulted the New Zealand Players Association to explore feasibility. The league, inspired by the Caribbean Premier League model, is expected to attract private investment and aims to provide higher-quality cricket during the New Zealand summer.

Players Eager for the League

Latham said he was “certainly hopeful” the competition would receive the green light and believes most players feel the same.

“A lot of guys have played franchise cricket around the world and learned so much from elite overseas players who no longer play internationals,” he said. “To bring that knowledge here would be hugely beneficial — not just for current Black Caps, but for younger players coming through.”

While Latham has never played in a major T20 league, he featured for Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast this year, scoring a 51-ball 104 in his final match. But he noted that many New Zealand players spend their summer away in leagues such as the BBL, SA20, and ILT20 instead of playing the Super Smash at home.

“I’d Much Rather Have Our Own Competition”

Latham made clear that the NZ20 would help retain New Zealand’s top talent during the home season.

“I would much rather have our own competition here where we’re using all of our talent as best we can to boost cricket in New Zealand,” he said. “It’s a really good opportunity to do that.”

Crowded Global Calendar

The new tournament would enter an already packed global schedule. The ILT20 (Dec 2–Jan 4), SA20 (Dec 26–Jan 25), and the BBL (Dec 14–Jan 25) are all overlapping this summer — a clash that highlights the value of creating a strong domestic option to keep Kiwi players at home.

With planning under way and strong support from players, the NZ20 is shaping as a potentially defining move for New Zealand’s cricketing future.