The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series will be played in New Zealand for the first time this December when the BLACKCAPS meet Australia in a three match ODI series, New Zealand Cricket announced today.
This is the second time this trophy has been competed for in what is now an annual fi
xture between Australia and the BLACKCAPS.
The Sri Lanka cricket team will begin its tsunami-postponed four match ODI series in late December and the West Indies will arrive in February for a tour which will include three Test matches, five ODI matches and a twenty20 match.
NZC Chief Executive Martin Snedden said The National Bank international home series would provide the public with a quality summer of international cricket.
“The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series is being eagerly anticipated by the public and should get the season off to an exciting start.
“We are pleased to have been able to reschedule Sri Lanka so soon after last year’s tour was called off,” he said.
“The first Test against the West Indies at Eden Park will mark the 50th anniversary, to the day, since New Zealand won its first Test match. This first Test win was against the West Indies at Eden Park and the team was captained by current NZC president John R Reid.
“We expect this anniversary to be a very special occasion for cricket in New Zealand and will be appropriately celebrated at that time.
“The West Indies tour will begin with our second ever international men’s twenty20 match. Last year’s match against Australia at Eden Park was a sell out and we expect just as much interest from the Auckland public this year.
“Attempts to replace the cancelled Zimbabwe tour have been partially successful. The West Indies Cricket Board has agreed to a third Test match which will assist us to mitigate any potential losses from the cancelled tour,” he said.
“In normal circumstances under the Future Tours Programme agreement, the West Indies were only due to play two Tests on this tour.
“In setting the itinerary an attempt has been made to ensure international cricket is played throughout the country.
“We have scheduled two one-day matches in Queenstown recognising the quality and appeal of this venue.
“Carisbrook is unable to be considered until the ground’s new drop-in pitch has been proven at domestic level and we will look to return international cricket to Westpac Park in Hamilton once the ground’s pitch issues have been resolved,” Mr Snedden said.
