New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today announced the schedule for next summer’s National Bank Series with fans treated to a full tour by England.
The international summer will open with England playing two Twenty20 warm-up matches before facing the BLACKCAPS in three Twenty20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals and three Test matches in the period from February 1 – March 26.
NZC Chief Executive David White said the upcoming home summer presented fans with a good variety of cricket against a quality international side.
“It’s a very busy period for the BLACKCAPS over the next 12 months and the team have a very strong focus on improving our ranking across all formats,” said White.
“England is one of the best teams in the world and will provide a real challenge for the BLACKCAPS.
“A feature of the schedule is the return of Test cricket to Eden Park. Auckland hasn’t hosted a Test match since 2006 and we felt the England tour presented a good opportunity allocate a match to our largest city.
“An inbound England tour brings in a large number of supporters who create a wonderful atmosphere and we are sure the people of Auckland will turn out in force to see two quality teams in what promises to be a fantastic occasion.
“We felt it was important to schedule an international match in the South Island and a Test match at University Oval was the logical choice. It was 1966 when the England team last played a Test match in Dunedin so I’m sure the locals will get behind the event.
“Unfortunately we were again unable to schedule a match in Canterbury due to the lack of a suitable venue for international cricket. There are always challenges when finalising a schedule, but we think the 2012-12 National Bank Series offers fans around the country with good opportunities to go and support international cricket this summer.”
All live scores, news and match details can be found at www.blackcaps.co.nz. Our broadcast partners SKY TV and Radio Sport will also continue its commitment to cricket in New Zealand with full coverage of all BLACKCAPS matches throughout the summer.
The National Bank Series v England
Twenty20 Series
Mon 04 Feb - New Zealand XI England, Cobham Oval, Whangarei (T20 warm-up)
Wed 06 Feb - New Zealand XI England, Cobham Oval, Whangarei (T20 warm-up)
Sat 09 Feb - First Twenty20 International at Eden Park, Auckland
Tue 12 Feb - Second Twenty20 International at Seddon Park, Hamilton
Fri 15 Feb - Third Twenty20 International at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
One Day International Series
Sun 17 Feb - First ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton
Wed 20 Feb - Second ODI at McLean Park, Napier
Sat 23 Feb - Third ODI at Eden Park, Auckland
Test Series
Wed 27 Feb–Sat 02 Mar - NZ XI v England, Queenstown Events Centre (four-day warm-up)
Wed 06–Sun 10 Mar – First Test at University Oval, Dunedin
Thurs 14–Mon 18 Mar - Second Test at Hawkins Basin Reserve, Wellington
Fri 22–Tue 26 Mar - Third Test at Eden Park, Auckland
