WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has come out in strong support of the Twenty20 format, saying it forms a "meaningful" part of the international game.
Hesson was responding to comments from England coach Trevor Bayliss who has called for Twenty20 cricket to be removed from the international schedule and confined to franchise tournaments such as the Indian Premier League or Australia's Big Bash League.
Bayliss, speaking after England's two-run win over New Zealand in a tri-series Twenty20 match on Sunday, said players and coaches risked blowout because of the demands of T20 matches on top of tests and one-day games.
He highlighted that some members of the current England team had played five Ashes tests and five one-day internationals in Australia before playing four T20 matches in the current Trans-Tasman tri-series. They now face a tour of New Zealand which incorporates all three formats.
"Look, I haven't changed my opinion on it. I wouldn't play T20 internationals," Bayliss told Sky Sports. "If we continue putting on so many games there'll be a certain amount of blowout with not just players but coaches as well.
"If you want to play a World Cup every four years or whatever it is, maybe six months before you get the international teams and let them play some T20 cricket. But I'd just let the franchises play (beyond that)."
Hesson told reporters on Monday that Twenty20 had an important role to play in international cricket. He agreed with Bayliss that the demands on players have to be managed but said the short format was critical to smaller nations such as New Zealand.
"There's always a workload issue, I think that's fair," Hesson said. "But there's also a revenue-generation issue as well.
"In some countries that's not as big a deal but for New Zealand Cricket, to get 35,000 people to Eden Park or whatever it was the other day is huge for us, huge for the game and huge for the promotion of the game. And we certainly get great support for T20 internationals over here."
Asked if T20 internationals are meaningful, Hesson replied: "Too right they are. Every international you play is incredibly meaningful.
"You've got guys that only play T20 and that's their chance to play international cricket, so I think absolutely it's meaningful."
England, NZ coaches differ on T20 internationals
England, NZ coaches differ on T20 internationals
Talwar leads on opening day of 2025 Saudi Open
- The 26-year-old from Delhi set a new course record of 8-under 64 at Dirab Golf & Country Club
RIYADH: India’s Saptak Talwar opened the first day of the 2025 Saudi Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, with a new course record of 64 (8-under) after finishing his round with a birdie on the final hole in fading light at the Dirab Golf & Country Club.
The 26-year-old from Delhi, who has competed in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021, delivered a flawless round that included four birdies on each nine, placing him at the top of the leaderboard.
In second place are American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Australia’s Jack Thompson, both carding 65.
Meanwhile, rising Moroccan talent Adam Bresnu stole the spotlight as the leading Arab player on the opening day, after a strong performance that placed him firmly in contention.
Despite still being an amateur, Bresnu exemplified the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of creating clear pathways for regional talent to reach the highest levels of the professional game.
Through its partnership with the Arab Golf Federation, Golf Saudi is expanding high-level opportunities for amateur and professional Arab players.
Bresnu said: “The conditions were really good. What I liked most about the course was how firm the greens and fairways were. The greens are excellent, and I’m really happy to be here.”
“I’ll keep the same mindset. Patience is the main goal,” he added. “It’s a four-round tournament, day by day, shot by shot. My goal is simply to enjoy playing.”
Saudi Arabia players are still in contention as they progress into day two.
Shergo Al-Kurdi said: “Representing the Kingdom is amazing, the crowd support is definitely a big one. In general just being in Saudi, I always enjoy my time here and just want to perform the best I can. It’s a good place to have a nice week.”
He added: “The amount of support Saudi gives to their players is absolutely fantastic and it’s what golfers need to get into a higher level of golf. It is what is needed and they are prepared to do it. It’s very good what they’re doing.”
