Auckland, Nov 19 NZPA - New Zealand could play a limited overs series in the United States as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) seeks to exploit the untapped potential of one of the sport's backwaters.

NZC and its American counterpart today revealed plans to develop a `strategic' partnership that could see the Twenty20 side play matches in Florida against international class opponents after next year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Cementing ties between New Zealand and the USA Cricket Association (USACA) started last week when NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan met American board members in Florida.

The proposed partnership covers a variety of activities, ranging from the sharing of coaching and development expertise through to the staging of international fixtures on American soil.

Noting the Twenty20 World Cup was scheduled for the Caribbean in April-May, Vaughan said it "wouldn't be a huge step to say we could play a series of T20 or ODIs (in the United States) on the way home."

While any series would be a revenue-generating exercise for NZC, Vaughan said it would also "support and grow" cricket awareness in a country dominated by basketball, American football and baseball.

"The US has enormous cricket potential and enormous commercial potential," he said.

The United States is an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and has an estimated 15,000 registered players, mainly expats from the subcontinent.

Vaughan said NZC would look to assist the USACA with coaching, umpire and ground staff development as well as fostering interest in schools.

NZC has already committed to helping the United States team prepare for under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January.

Vaughan said NZC might also look at accessing a training base in Florida during the winter months, an alternative to Brisbane or Darwin in Australia.

The United States has an internationally accredited venue in Florida at Lauder Hill, near Fort Lauderdale.

"It's pretty impressive, it has the bare bones of what could be an outstanding venue," he said.

"The (Florida) climate is conducive, you just have to get Americans loving the game."

USACA chief executive Don Lockerbie was excited about the potential benefits for his organisation.

"USA Cricket can learn greatly from the experience and knowledge of NZC, and we believe there are real and significant cricketing benefits and commercial opportunities possible through this partnership."