(Cricket News) The T20I series between New Zealand and Australia will now also be contested for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. This will start with the beginning of the 3-match series between the Trans-Tasman rivals in Wellington.

Earlier the trophy was awarded only for the ODIs, but now it will be granted for all the white-ball series between the two nations. This will also bring about a change in the format of the series when the two teams face-off in back-to-back ODI and T20I series. A points structure will be formed in order to ensure that the trophy does not change hands within days.

The Chappell-Hadlee trophy was first introduced in the year 2004, where the trophy was shared between the two nations. Since then Australia have won it 7 times, while New Zealand have managed to take it on 4 occasions. The trophy has been shared on 2 occasions. The newest addition and the points structure will now bring about a relevance for each game played between the two nations.

“It’s great that the trophy will have more visibility and profile. I like the new conditions too – especially in the event of back-to-back 20-over and 50-over series,” Sir Richard Hadlee was quoted as saying in a release. “It means all games will continue to be relevant, and that the trophy will remain on the line for a longer period – plenty to play for.”

Greg Chappell said he was “pleased” with the decision to include bilateral T20I series under the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. “I am a great believer in promoting young players through the pathways and national system and it will be particularly pleasing to see some young Australian players competing with their Kiwi counterparts for the trophy in years to come,” he was quoted as saying.

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