MELBOURNE, March 23 (Reuters) - New ⁠Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named the proposed NZ20 franchise league ⁠as its preferred option to replace the nation's 21-year-old ‌Super Smash but wants women's competition included in the proposal.

The new league's backers have proposed a six-team league of privately owned franchises and hope to launch ​the first tournament by January 2027.

NZC said ⁠its board had given in-principle ⁠support for NZ20 contingent on resolving key commercial, governance and structural matters.

"While ⁠not ‌a final commitment, the decision allows the board to focus resources on negotiating a potential licence and binding ⁠commercial arrangement with the NZ20 organisers," NZC said.

NZC ​board chair Diana ‌Puketapu-Lyndon said the board wanted to see several changes to ⁠the NZ20 ​proposal.

"We want to work with NZ20 to ensure it incorporates and supports the women’s domestic T20 competition, and that it maintains a level ⁠of prominence and visibility consistent with NZC’s ​strategic commitment to the women’s game," she said.

"Ensuring regional representation of NZ20 teams so fans and aspiring young cricketers can see their ⁠heroes in action is also very important to the Board, as is the question of ownership and control, including equity in the competition."