ICC World Cup squad announcement decision disappoints New Zealand Cricket

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden is disappointed that the TelstraClear Black Caps World Cup Squad will, at this stage, have to be announced before the end of the National Bank Series against India.

Under International Cricket Council criteria all World Cup squads must be named by December 31.

"Obviously the selectors would have liked the opportunity to see as much one-day cricket as possible before selecting the 15-man squad," Mr Snedden said.

The TelstraClear Black Caps will have played only two of their seven One-Day International matches by December 31.

Selectors will also have little opportunity to see one-day performances from Major Association players. The State Shield one-day competition begins on December 28 with five rounds to be played until January 7.

"I asked the ICC for an extension to the end of the National Bank Series but that request was refused."

Mr Snedden said he was now exploring with the ICC the possibility of announcing the squad on the evening of January 2 given the time difference between New Zealand and the ICC headquarters at Lords and that January 1 is a public holiday in both countries.

"This would give the selectors an opportunity to view player performances in three Indian ODIs and three rounds of the State Shield," he said.