Black Caps to play pink ball test against England as schedule confirmed

A day-night test against England and one-day and T20 series against India headline the Black Caps summer schedule.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed their home international itinerary, with six teams to tour Aotearoa.

The White Ferns and Black Caps to head offshore for their respective T20 World Cups, as well as hosting the Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, England and Sri Lanka men’s teams, and the Bangladesh women.

The Black Caps will open their two test series against England at Bay Oval on February 16 in the first day-night Test in New Zealand since the Black Caps defeated the same opposition by an innings at Eden Park in 2018.

The second test is at the Basin Reserve from February 24.

The White Ferns, having attended the Commonwealth Games and returned from their tour of the West Indies, will host Bangladesh in T20 and ODI series before departing in January for South Africa, where they will contest the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Playing at home for the first time under new coach Ben Sawyer, the White Ferns will play three T20s, in Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, before three ODIs, in Wellington, Napier and Hamilton.

The home season will start in early October, when the Black Caps will put the finishing touches on their preparations for the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia with a Christchurch-based tri-series, featuring Pakistan and Bangladesh.

India will arrive in New Zealand at the conclusion of the World Cup to play the Black Caps in three T20s in Wellington, Tauranga and Napier, and three ODIs in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch.

India is currently the No.1-ranked T20 side in the world while the Black Caps are the No.1-ranked ODI side.

The Black Caps will then depart for the sub-continent for a tour of Pakistan and a short form series in India, before returning in early February to prepare for the two Tests against England – in Tauranga (D/N) and Wellington.

Sri Lanka’s arrival in New Zealand at the end of February will see the five-day format continue, with Tests scheduled for Christchurch and Wellington ahead of a three-match T20, and three-match ODI series.

NZC chief executive David White is hopeful big crowds will attend the matches.

“Last summer’s Women’s World Cup did so much to promote the game, and it will be great to see the White Ferns in action right around the country.

“And to have India, England and Sri Lanka touring here, on top of visits from Pakistan and Bangladesh, means cricket fans can look forward to a summer of top-quality cricket.”

White confirmed ticket prices at all international games would remain the same as last year’s discounted levels.

“We recognise the challenges of the current environment – and our priority is to make international cricket as accessible as possible.

“After the previous seasons’ restrictions from Covid, we want to ensure our venues and fixtures remain affordable and welcoming.”