Domestic cricket season to last for five months in 2010-11

The domestic cricket season will stretch on for close to five months this summer.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) released a domestic schedule today which is book-ended by the Plunket Shield first-class competition which starts on November 9 and ends on April 3.

The four-day schedule will feature two full rounds but takes a break in December and January when the Twenty20 and one-day competitions will be staged.

The Twenty-20 programme, from December 2 to January 2, will feature two full rounds ahead of a final while the one-day competition, starting on January 9, will also comprise two full rounds leading into the final on February 13.

With only one inbound tour this summer from Pakistan, in December and January, members of the New Zealand team will be available for their provinces.

"A big upside of the schedule is it allows for the New Zealand players to represent their major associations for a number of pre-Christmas rounds and the final of our premier Twenty20 competition," NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

"Last year's HRV Cup (Twenty20) generated unprecedented interest and coverage and this is set to continue with increased television coverage and the participation internationals stars."

- NZPA