Training programme called off
New Zealand Cricket - 1 October 2002

Next week's training programme for Major Associations squads and the New Zealand Cricket Academy has been called off due to the unavailability of players representing the Major Associations.

The programme had been scheduled to begin on October 7 at New Zealand Cricket's Lincoln University High Performance Centre and would have seen Major Association squads participate in a training camp as part of their build up to the domestic season.

Each Major Association squad was to also play six days of cricket - including games against other Major Association sides and the New Zealand Cricket Academy side.

No first-class men's domestic players are currently under contract to the Major Associations and the interim contract between New Zealand Cricket and international mens players expired on September 30.

The New Zealand Cricket Players' Association has entered into negotiations with New Zealand Cricket for a contract covering both mens international and first-class domestic players.

"The players association notified us they were not prepared to attend until their new contract is in place," New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said.

"The negotiation process is continuing and we are meeting with representatives of the NZCPA next week," he said.

"There are some difficult issues involved in the negotiation process but I am confident both parties can work to reach a resolution."

It would not be appropriate to comment on the negotiations process further while negotiations continue, he said.

Teams	New Zealand.
Players/Umpires	Martin Snedden.