Hold Tight For A Wild Ride
The final piece of the 2016-17 scheduling puzzle has fallen into place for the BLACKCAPS, promising a wild ride for New Zealand cricket fans over the next nine months.
Final details of the tour of India in September-October, released by the BCCI overnight, confirm the BLACKCAPS face a packed international programme between now and the end of March: six different opponents, 14 Tests, 19 One Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals.
It’s the busiest nine months in New Zealand Cricket history and comes at a time when the BLACKCAPS are ranked No.1 in T20s, No.2 in ODIs and No.5 in Tests.
NZC Chief Executive David White attributes the calibre of the programme to the success achieved by the BLACKCAPS over the past three years.
"I don't think there's any doubt the BLACKCAPS are more in demand now than ever - and that relates directly to their performance over recent years," said Mr White.
"The steady progress of the side under coach Mike Hesson, both in terms of results and the way the BLACKCAPS have played the game, has made a real difference around the negotiation table."
The BLACKCAPS re-boot their international campaign in Africa next month, starting with two Tests against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, before taking on South Africa at Durban and Centurion; the second of which starts on August 27.
Less than three weeks later they will be in Kanpur for the start of a series against India comprising three Tests and five ODIs – before returning home for an ANZ International Series featuring visits from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia and South Africa.
On top of that, the BLACKCAPS will also contest a Chappell-Hadlee Series on Australian soil before Christmas, and will head to England for the start of their Champions Trophy campaign less than a month after the home programme ends in late March.
Mr White noted BLACKAPS' fans could look forward to similar tidings next year, with NZC preparing to host incoming visits from Pakistan, Australia, the West Indies and England.
