Don Neely replaces Reid as NZC president

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have appointed Don Neely, a noted historian and administrator, to succeed John Reid as their next president. At the conclusion of the board's Annual General Meeting in Wellington, it was also announced that NZC had completed its four year financial cycle with a surplus of $217,779 (US$ 140,000 approx).

Apart from being a life member of NZC and trustee of the New Zealand Cricket Museum, Neely has also served as president of Cricket Wellington and a was selector for 14 years, seven of which he was convenor.

Reid, who was at the helm of affairs since 2003, was made a life member during the AGM. During and after a 16-year Test career, Reid served on the national selection panel (1956 to 1965, 1971 to 1978) and was awarded an OBE in 1963 for services to cricket. On his retirement he was judged to have been New Zealand's best ever cricketer and was also their most successful captain, having led New Zealand to the country's first ever Test victory.

Martin Snedden, the NZC chief executive, expressed his satisfaction at a year in which a successful development programme continued to flourish. "The surplus was a very positive result, especially given the turbulent events which occurred during this cycle," he said. "During the cycle we felt the impacts of international terrorism, the abandonment of Sri Lanka's tour to New Zealand following the Boxing Day tsunami and the effects of a rising New Zealand dollar. These events have been beyond our control and NZC's ability to recover from them reflects our strong commercial arrangements."

NZC operates a four-year financial cycle to cope with the fluctuating nature of revenues received between world cups. In some years revenue is significantly higher due to NZC's participation in international cricket tournaments and in other years revenues are significantly reduced due to lower overseas broadcasting income from inbound tours.

"During the financial year NZC and Cricket Australia management and staff worked tirelessly to produce a world class bid for the 2011 and 2015 world cups, within a tight deadline," Snedden said. "While our preference was to gain the 2011 World Cup we were delighted to be awarded the co-hosting rights to stage the 2015 event.

"The Black Caps performed well during the year with Test series victories over Zimbabwe and the West Indies and ODI series victories over Zimbabwe and India in a tri-series and Sri Lanka and the West Indies," he added. "There was, however, disappointment at Test and ODI losses to South Africa. Domestically the 2005-06 season saw the launch of the State Twenty20 tournament which was well received by players, the media and the public."