New Zealand Cricket announce busy home season ahead

With the New Zealand government giving a go-ahead to host international cricket, the BlackCaps are all set for a busy home season. Starting November 27, the New Zealand men’s team will host four Test-playing nations, all the way till March 21, 2021.

First up, West Indies will begin their Kiwi sojourn at the Eden Park Stadium in Auckland. Their tour will comprise of three T20Is and two Tests. Next, the hosts will play a three-match T20I series against a visiting Pakistan starting December 18. Both teams will then proceed to play two Tests, the first of which is a Boxing Day Test at Mount Maunganui.

Trans-Tasman rivals Australia are then slated to arrive in February, playing a 5-match T20-only series starting February 21. The fourth and final assignment for New Zealand will be a limited-overs series against Bangladesh. Both teams will face off in three ODIs and as many T20Is, starting March 13.

“I’m thrilled to be making this announcement today, given the uncertainty and difficulties over the past six or seven months,” said New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the New Zealand government for helping us navigate this complex process, as we do to our commercial partners and especially Spark Sport and TVNZ, for their patience and understanding.

“Hosting these tours is incredibly important to us for two reasons: international cricket brings in revenue that funds the entire game of cricket in New Zealand and, also, it’s crucial that we look after the fans of the game and sport in general, especially during these difficult times,” added White.

Special thanks to CA

White made a special mention for Cricket Australia, who agreed to send a T20I unit to New Zealand despite there being a Test series in South Africa at the same time.

“We’ve worked very closely with Cricket Australia in what is, really, a unique set of circumstances – and we can’t speak highly enough of their commitment to the global game. The same goes for the West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and England – right across the board in cricket there’s been a real spirit of cooperation.”

New Zealand Cricket also confirmed the start of their premier T20 tournament – the Super Smash. Both the men’s and women’s team will play on the same days, with the competition starting on December 24.