Sydney, May 19: Cricket Australia today announced the launch of Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, an annual affair of three-match limited Overs series against arch rivals New Zealand beginning this year. The inaugural series will be played in Australia in December while the next edition will be hosted by the Kiwis. From 2006, the event will be played with one nation hosting two matches and the other one. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the introduction of the annual affair between the Trans-Tasman rivals was a tribute to the contribution to the game made by the famous cricketing families of the two countries. "Chappells and Hadlees have been involved in a lot of the Trans-Tasman cricket rivalry that goes back to 50 years but, in particular, goes back to the start of one-day international cricket 30 years ago," Sutherland said.
Walter Hadlee captained New Zealand in the first ever test in 1945 and Ian and Greg Chappell and Sir Richard and Dayle Hadlee played in the first ever One-Day International in 1974 between the two teams.

Bureau Report