The decision to create a separate window for IPL has played a massive role in qualitative growth of New Zealand cricketers, feels former seamer and current national selector Gavin Larsen.

Larsen and coach Gary Stead form the two-member panel which looks after the development of the country’s players and the cricket board has ensured that IPL is a part of that plan.

“There are small challenges around scheduling, for instance, England tours, which can be packed up close to IPL. So it’s a challenge around players’ availability. But it’s not a common issue generally I am not being negative,” Larsen said.

“When our players are picked up by IPL franchise, they can only develop their game. We are seeing some of the results that have come in terms of Players’ improvement which has been a fantastic part of cricket growth.” He does accept that scheduling could be a challenge but not something that is too worrisome at the moment.

“Definitely, part of the role to continually monitor the group of players, both guys who are incumbent Black Caps and those who are in the ranks, to make sure they are managed appropriately, they are working on their games. IPL is a part of that.” Larsen believes that relation between New Zealand Cricket and the players have been excellent as the board understands their needs of being financially well-off, a gateway to which is franchise leagues, county cricket as well as club cricket in the UK.