Long season of short format games to be played in the New Zealand summer

New Zealand will see a host of games this summer, but most of those will be limited-overs cricket and little of the longest version will be played. The prospect of the debut of day-night Test in the country is also uncertain for now. West Indies, England, Australia and Pakistan will tour the Black Caps this summer for 43 days of cricket. This includes West Indies’ women’s team visit and the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

A total of four Test matches will be played – two against West Indies and other two against England. The plan was to have a pink ball Test against England but its prospects look dim because in Auckland, where the Test is scheduled, using lights on a Sunday is prohibited.

NZC chief executive David White is hoping that the venue is permitted to host the day and night match. “It’s been quite a lengthy process but we’re hopeful that we’ll have a day-night Test match there,” White was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “It’s critical for the future of Test cricket at Eden Park, definitely. In terms of day-night Test matches, we’re confident it’s going to go well and it’s going to have a big part in the future of the international programme.” He further said.

Tests remain shadowed by shorter formats 

From December 20 to March 10, New Zealand will play 23 successive ODIs and T20Is. This will be the first time that the Windies women will tour New Zealand. They will play three ODIs and five T20Is. After the recently concluded Women’s World Cup 2017 which garnered a lot of interest from people worldwide, each cricket board is doing its own share of duty to promote the sport. West Indies women vs New Zealand women series is one such instance. As for Test cricket, they will remain predominantly absent in New Zealand’s long home season.

New Zealand’s summer schedule

v West Indies

Dec 1-5 – First Test, Wellington

Dec 9-13 – Second Test, Hamilton

Dec 20 – First ODI, Whangarei

Dec 23 – Second ODI, Christchurch

Dec 26 – Third ODI, Christchurch

Dec 29 – First T20, Nelson

Jan 1 – Second T20, Tauranga

Jan 3 – Third T20, Tauranga

v Pakistan

Jan 6 – First ODI, Wellington

Jan 9 – Second ODI, Nelson

Jan 13 – Third ODI, Dunedin

Jan 16 – Fourth ODI, Hamilton

Jan 19 – Fifth ODI, Wellington

Jan 22 – First T20, Wellington

Jan 25 – Second T20, Auckland

Jan 28 – Third T20, Tauranga

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3.

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7.

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10.

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21

v England

Feb 25 – First ODI, Hamilton

Feb 28 – Second ODI, Napier

Mar 3 – Third ODI, Wellington

Mar 7 – Fourth ODI, Dunedin

Mar 10 – Fifth ODI, Christchurch

Mar 22-26 – First Test, Auckland

Mar 30-April 3 – Second Test, Christchurch