New Zealand will host their neighbours Australia for a three-match T20I series in March next year, it has been announced ny New Zealand Cricket.
The series will be a part of the New Zealand summer. Significantly, both New Zealand and Australia are the finalists of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE and will clash on November 14 in Dubai for the coveted trophy.
However, the T20I series in March is most likley to clash with the dates for Australia’s away Test series against hosts Pakistan and in such a scenario, the Aussie Test specialist like former skipper Steven Smith, opener David Warner, pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are likely to miss the three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Before the T20I series, the two sides are also scheduled to play a three-match ODI series and a one-off T20I in January-February in Australia next year.
The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) meanwhile, also announced the schedule for the men’s team two-Test series against Bangladesh, which will be held in January and the two Tests against South Africa in March next year.
Notably, all these four Tests will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
Moreover, the Black Caps will also host Netherlands in March-April for a one-off T20I and three ODIs. These three ODIs against Netherlands as well as those against Australia will be a part of the ICC ODI Super League.
NZC chief executive David White acknowledged the delay in announcing the summer schedule and said that it was inevitable for the board due to the impact of Covid-19 both in New Zealand and abroad, and the knock-on effects on international travel.
“It hasn’t been a straight-forward process and we’ve needed to work through a number of unexpected changes before finalising the arrangements. Having said that, I’m delighted with the volume and quality of the international cricket to be played over the summer, particularly given the importance of, and the relevance connected to these games,” White said in a statement.
“The India series is a crucial part of the WHITE FERNS’ World Cup preparations. The four Tests are very important for the BLACKCAPS in terms of their World Test Championship defence. And, as part of the ICC Super League, the BLACKCAPS’ six ODIs carry similar significance,” he added.
“It hasn’t been a straight-forward process and we’ve needed to work through a number of unexpected changes before finalising the arrangements. Having said that, I’m delighted with the volume and quality of the international cricket to be played over the summer, particularly given the importance of, and the relevance connected to these games,” White further stated.
“The India series is a crucial part of the White Ferns’ World Cup preparations. The four Tests are very important for the Blackcaps in terms of their World Test Championship defence. And, as part of the ICC Super League, the Blackcaps’ six ODIs carry similar significance,” added he.
The New Zealand women’s team, as per the announcement, will play against India in a home series in February which includes an one-off T20I and five ODIs and which will serve as a preparation for the Women’s 50-over World Cup, which will also take place in New Zealand in March-April 2022.
The Women’s World Cup was postponed by a year due to the covid-19 pandemic.