The start of a new era of Chappell-Hadlee rivalry is the feature of this summer’s ANZ International Series, comprising inbound tours from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia.

Three Chappell-Hadlee One-Day Internationals will be played at Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton in early February 2016 — representing the first occasion since 2010 in which the trophy has been contested over the course of a series, as opposed to a stand-alone match.
 
It will be the first of eight Chappell-Hadlee Series contested on either side of the Tasman over the next seven years.

Further highlights of the ANZ International Series include a Boxing Day ODI against Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval, the return of ODI cricket to Wellington’s Basin Reserve, and a concentration on holiday venues Nelson and Mt Maunganui during the Christmas-New Year period.

Watch Brendon McCullum and NZC CEO David White at the announcement presser

Over the course of the home summer, the BLACKCAPS will play four ANZ Tests, 11 ANZ ODIs and five ANZ T20s at nine different venues. Dunedin will host the first ANZ Test against Sri Lanka, Hamilton the second, while the two ANZ Tests against Australia will be played in Wellington and Christchurch respectively.

Sri Lanka start their tour in Queenstown with a three-day tour match against a President’s XI from 3—5 December.  New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said the schedule covered a good geographical spread, providing an opportunity for all BLACKCAPS fans to see their team in action for the first time since the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

“On the back of the CWC we’ve taken a regional approach to the allocation of international venues, working closely with local and regional councils, as well as with our Major and District Associations and venue authorities,” he said.
 
“I’ve been delighted with the contribution made, and enthusiasm shown by all stakeholders — and the result has been a very positive one for cricket fans in this country.”
 
Included in Wellington’s muster will be the opening ANZ ODI against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve — a venue which last hosted an ODI in 2005, against Australia.“I’d like to congratulate Wellington authorities for taking a regional approach to this process and, specifically, Westpac Stadium for supporting the return of ODI cricket to the Basin Reserve", said Mr White.

 
Wellington will also be the venue at which BLACKCAPS captain Brendon McCullum, fitness permitting, will set a world record for becoming the first cricketer to play 100 consecutive Tests since debut.

ANZ International Series

BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka

1st ANZ Test
Thursday 10 — Monday 14 December 2015
University Oval, Dunedin
 
2nd ANZ Test
Friday 18 — Tuesday 22 December 2015
Seddon Park, Hamilton
 
1st ANZ ODI
Saturday 26 December 2015 (Boxing Day)
Hagley Oval, Christchurch

2nd ANZ ODI
Monday 28 December 2015
Hagley Oval, Christchurch

3rd ANZ ODI
Thursday 31 December 2015
Saxton Oval, Nelson

4th ANZ ODI
Saturday 2 January 2016
Saxton Oval, Nelson

5th ANZ ODI
Tuesday 5 January 2016
Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui

1st ANZ T20
Thursday 7 January 2016
Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui

2nd ANZ T20
Sunday 10 January 2016
Eden Park, Auckland

BLACKCAPS v Pakistan

1st ANZ T20
Friday 15 January 2016 D/N
Eden Park, Auckland

2nd ANZ T20
Sunday 17 January 2016 D/N
Seddon Park, Hamilton

3rd ANZ T20
Friday 22 January 2016 D/N
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

1st ANZ ODI
Monday 25 January 2016
Basin Reserve, Wellington

2nd ANZ ODI
Thursday 28 January D/N
McLean Park, Napier

3rd ANZ ODI
Sunday 31 January 2016
Eden Park, Auckland

BLACKCAPS v Australia

1st ANZ ODI
Wednesday 3 February 2016 D/N
Eden Park, Auckland

2nd ANZ ODI
Saturday 6 February 2016 (Waitangi Day) D/N
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

3rd ANZ ODI
Monday 8 February 2016 D/N
Seddon Park, Hamilton

1st ANZ Test
Friday 12 — Tuesday 16 February 2016
Basin Reserve, Wellington
 
2nd ANZ Test
Saturday 20 —Wednesday 24 February 2016
Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Ticket information

Tickets for the ANZ International Series go on sale in November. Discounted tickets and a two-week presale window will be available to MyBLACKCAPS members. Not a member? Join for free today at www.blackcaps.co.nz/register