England’s pre-tour negotiations were overseen by then-director of cricket operations Stuart Hooper, a former Bath rugby player and official, who left the ECB earlier this year after being revealed as a key figure behind the Rugby360 breakaway league.
The New Zealand tour had been scheduled as part of the Future Tours Program in mid-2022, shortly after men’s managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum assumed leadership of the England setup. Key was responsible for bringing Hooper on board.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a UK report this week revealed that England had asked for a dedicated training block at the WACA Ground, similar to what India received last summer. However, their request was denied because of a Sheffield Shield match scheduled that week, and they were instead offered either Lilac Hill or a club ground in Adelaide.
