Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have announced the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be awarded to the winners of bilateral T20I series between Australia and New Zealand as well as ODI series.
The change means the winner of the three-match T20I series beginning in Wellington on Wednesday will lift the trophy.
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy was inaugurated in 2004-05 in honour of Australia’s celebrated brothers Ian, Greg and Trevor Chappell and the New Zealand cricket dynasty Walter Hadlee and sons Barry, Dayle and Sir Richard.
The inclusion of T20I comes with the endorsement of both the Chappell and Hadlee families.
The trophy has become symbolic of cricket’s intense trans-Tasman rivalry with Australia winning the series seven times, New Zealand four and two series drawn. Australia retained the trophy the last time it was contested in 2022-23 with a 3-0 series victory.
The inclusion of T20Is recognises the increased prominence of the format on the international schedule, with one of the two white ball formats prioritised depending on the upcoming ICC tournament (the biennial T20 World Cup or quadrennial ODI World Cup). Accordingly, the move will increase the regularity with which the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is contested.
In further changes, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will no longer be awarded for one-off games during ICC tournaments and a points system will be formulated for back-to-back ODI and T20I series to avoid the possibility of the trophy being exchanged twice within weeks.
Australia's tour of New Zealand will be shown live on Fox Sports and Kayo, with the T20I series beginning on Wednesday at 5.10pm AEDT.
Greg Chappell, former Australian captain said, "Having our family name on the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is a great source of pride for Ian, Trevor and myself and we are pleased that it will now be awarded for bilateral T20I series as well as ODIs.
“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.”
Sir Richard Hadlee, former New Zealand great said, “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.
“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.”
Nick Hockley, CA Chief Executive said, “Our rivalry with New Zealand is one of the best in world cricket and the inclusion of T20 Internationals will ensure the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy has even greater relevance in years to come.
“We’re looking forward to more great clashes with the Black Caps with the trophy on the line starting with the three-match T20 International series beginning in Wellington on Wednesday."