Hussey unsure on trophy format

Weeks before the next installment is due to start, Australian batsman Michael Hussey has said he believes the Chappell-Hadlee series could be in danger of being played too often. This December will see the teams compete for the trophy for the fourth time and second this year after a three-match series in New Zealand in February.

The Trophy, named after the two great cricketing families from both countries, was shared 1-1 after the final game was washed-out in its maiden outing in Australia in December 2004. Australia claimed it, just, in New Zealand in December 2005, and the Kiwis rode high to a 3-0 whitewash in February. Most games have been closely contested, but Hussey believes the competition could lose some prestige if it is up for grabs too often.

“There is always a great rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. I would like to see that fostered in some way,” he said. “I think sometimes if you play it year in and year out, it might sort of lose its buzz a little bit. Perhaps you could stretch it out to every couple of years or three or four years. I don’t know what the right way is.”

Cricket Australia public affairs manager Peter Young, however, said there were no immediate plans to alter the scheduling:

“We invented it with the objective of developing it as cricket’s Bledisloe Cup,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge we are happy where it sits.”

This season’s event is being held in 2007 rather than 2008 due to a fixture pile-up for Australia next calendar-year.