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Newly-crowned champion Canterbury wants a best-of-three finals format for the Shell Cup.

Canterbury, which beat Wellington by 49 runs in Saturday's final at the Basin Reserve, will canvas support for the idea from other major associations.

Canterbury Cricket chief executive Tony Murdoch said a best-of-three final would provide a showcase for the domestic season.

The red-and-blacks, who have now won the Shell Cup six times in the last eight years, are in an ideal position to broker a new format. Canterbury has already won the Shell Trophy and Max competition over the last 12 months, while the women are also national champions.

With New Zealand Cricket now aiming at two international tours every summer - India and South Africa are touring this year - it was important the domestic competition was not overwhelmed, Murdoch said.

The cup competition has already suffered this season with poor crowds and a lower standard of play. The absence of international players has affected all associations' gatetakings.

NZC has already indicated it will be reviewing its playing schedule after this season, especially with Sky to take over the television rights from TVNZ.

It is intended the Shell Cup will still be played between Boxing Day and Waitangi Day weekend.

Murdoch said the best-of-three play-offs was already used for the World Series Cup in Australia. In New Zealand it could revolve around the holiday weekend, with two matches at the top qualifier's venue and one played at the other finalist's venue within five days.

``Imagine if we had a Canterbury-Wellington game tonight at Jade Stadium,'' said Murdoch yesterday.

Murdoch said he did not foresee any need to change other aspects of the round-robin or Shell Cup play-off format which already worked well. The major requirement was to have dates free to slot in between international tours - allowing the top players to be available.

Meanwhile, Canterbury has been forced to make five changes, all for New Zealand players, in its Shell Trophy team which plays Central Districts in a first-round game starting at Jade Stadium tomorrow. Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Scott Pawson, Chris Martin, and Hamish Barton come into the team with the departure of Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Geoff Allott, and Nathan Astle.

Selection panel convener Brian McKechnie said it was a matter of trying to have all the bowling bases covered on the new portable pitch, which is being trialled in this match.

Canterbury: Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Llorne Howell, Gary Stead (captain), Gareth Hopkins, Hamish Barton, Scott Pawson, Mark Priest, Warren Wisneski, Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Stephen Cunis.