Speaking at NZC's season launch in Christchurch last night, Doig said that any suggestion that New Zealand might seek South Africa to come earlier than its scheduled February 11 arrival was not feasible. ``It cannot happen, the tour programme is firmly in place,'' Doig said.

The five-test West Indies tour of South Africa is in jeopardy after the West Indies players flew to London to discuss payment issues.

However, an important International Cricket Council meeting will be held in Christchurch in early January. The ICC chairman and head of committees will gather in Christchurch on January 10 and 11, the first time such a meeting has been hosted in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Mark Douglas celebrated becoming the first batsman to score 1000 runs in Cricket Max by steering Central Districts to a first-round win against Otago in the season opener at Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) last night.

The Nelson left-hander finished with an unbeaten 35 leading Central to a nine-wicket win over Otago. Central only required 56 to win in its final 10-over innings which it managed comfortably despite a measured start.

Short scoreboard:

Otago 93-8 (C Gaffaney 23, M Horne 22no; D Blake 2-13, R Brown 2-8, C Furlong 2-12) and 63-9 (C Gaffaney 22; A Penn 2-6, R Brown 2-4, D Blake 2-9) lost to Central Districts 101-2 (M Douglas 29, J Oram 46no) and 57-1 (M Douglas 35no).