New Zealand cricket unveils Black Caps and White Ferns schedule

The Black Caps have two more months to wait before the return of international cricket with their summer schedule revealed today.

Kane Williamson’s team has not played in any format since their ODI series in Australia was canceled in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

New Zealand Cricket today revealed the Black Caps and White Ferns summer schedule beginning with a Twenty20 series between the Black Caps and the West Indies, beginning November 27.

Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh will also face the Black Caps, while the White Ferns can also look forward to a busy summer of international cricket, with the England women’s team confirmed to visit in February and March, and discussions ongoing about the visit. of Australian women. .

The West Indies open summer time when they play three Twenty20s and two tests. The opening test will be at Seddon Park starting December 3, followed by the second test at Basin Reserve eight days later.

Pakistan will also play two events and two ODIs, including a Boxing Day event at the Bay Oval on Mt Maunganui. Hagley Oval of Christchurch will conduct the second test starting January 3.

Last summer the Black Caps played Australia’s traditional Boxing Day event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the previous year New Zealand hosted one for the first time since 2014 against Sri Lanka.

The Black Caps will host Australia in a five-game Twenty20 series. His first ODI of the summer won’t be until March 21, when Bangladesh visits him for three ODIs and three Twenty20s.

That means more than a year will pass among ODI internationals for the World Cup finalists. With consecutive Twenty20 World Cups played in 2021 and 2022, the shorter format has taken precedence.

The Black Caps’ last test match was on March 2, when they closed out a series win over India.

A gap in the international calendar between January 7 and February 22 will see international players available for Super Smash competitions.

While the government has so far granted approval for the first two incoming teams (West Indies and Pakistan), New Zealand Cricket CEO David White was confident that the other incoming tours would receive the green light.

“I am delighted to make this announcement today, given the uncertainty and difficulties of the last six or seven months,” he said.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the New Zealand government for helping us navigate this complex process.

“Organizing these tours is incredibly important to us for two reasons: international cricket generates revenue that funds the entire game of cricket in New Zealand and, also, it is crucial that we take care of fans of the game and the sport in general, especially during these hard times “.

White said the NZC was aware of the difficult circumstances that many New Zealanders had found themselves in in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and would cut the price of a GA adult ticket by almost half, to acknowledge this.

“It may seem counterintuitive to lower ticket prices at a time of high cost and extra expense for the game, but we think it’s the right thing to do.”

White said he was extremely grateful to Cricket Australia for seeing it as timely to send their men’s T20 team to New Zealand at a time when their international calendar was so congested.

“We have worked very closely with Cricket Australia on what is really a unique set of circumstances, and we cannot speak highly of their commitment to the global game.

“The same is the case with the West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh and England – across the board of cricket there has been a real spirit of cooperation.”