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It's a massive threat to New Zealand unfortunately: Hamish Bennett 

image-l7ia83o8Colin de Grandhomme announces retirement from international cricket (PC: Twitter)

New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme’s sudden retirement from international cricket has once again sparked a heated debate in the cricket fraternity over franchise cricket. Grandhomme surprised the New Zealand cricket fraternity on Monday by appearing in the player draft for Big Bash League.

The Kiwis don’t allow their centrally contracted players to feature in the Australian T20 league. Thus, following a series of discussions between New Zealand Cricket and the all-rounder, the authorities announced his retirement while releasing him from the national contract.

Hamish Bennett concerned about the growing popularity of franchise cricket

Former seamer Hamish Bennett believes that these are warning bells for the cricket board. Elaborating on his opinion, the veteran added that a lot of other NZ players will be following the route of de Grandhhomme. Bennett wants NZC to be prepared to see resignations on their table if Kiwi players get picked in the BBL.

Bennett said as quoted by RNZ,

"It's a massive threat to New Zealand (Cricket) unfortunately. I think a lot of New Zealand cricketers will have put their names in the hat for the Big Bash auction but just wouldn't want their names to go public.

“I mean if you apply for another job you don't tell your employer that you are applying for another job. You only tell them when you have got the job so I think a lot of people would have put their name in the hat hoping that if they got picked up in the Big Bash League and things went well they would get an IPL contract."

New Zealand’s performance manager explains NZC’s stance

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s performance manager Bryan Stronach isn’t concerned about the mass exodus. The official believes that New Zealand have a good cricket environment in place and a lot of players are unlikely to step back from international cricket.

He further mentioned that the cricket body understands the mentality of players and thus they are often allowed to participate in the leagues like Indian Premier League.

Stronach concluded,

"The success the Black Caps have on the international stage can help ... but we're never going to compete money wise, that's not our advantage. That's where we're thinking outside the square. We are letting guys go to the IPL and other leagues and most of the time we can figure this out."

Also Read: NZC confident player exodus not on cards, despite Colin de Grandhomme's retirement