New Zealand will host Australia for a Test series for the first time in eight years in the upcoming summer, right after attempting to secure a maiden Test series victory against South Africa, according to the fixtures released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the 2023-24 home season.
The New Zealand men’s team begin their home season with three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh in the last two weeks of December. They then have a 11-day break before hosting Pakistan for five T20Is from January 12 to 21.
South Africa then visit for two Tests between February 4 and 17, followed by Australia, who tour for three T20Is and two Tests between February 21 and March 12.
New Zealand women also host Pakistan for three T20Is and three ODIs between December 3 and 18, and then take on England in five T20Is and three ODIs between March 19 and April 7. The England women’s A team will also tour New Zealand at the time.
This will be the first international summer in 24 years to be screened live free-to-air on TVNZ.
NZC said its schedule includes ten double-headers (two games back-to-back at the same venue) as it attempts “to address both the needs of different audiences and enhance the efficiency of its playing programme in an era of climate change awareness.”
NZC chief executive David White said: “In terms of venues with lights, we’ve been able to schedule several back-to-back night matches and day matches to ensure good opportunities for both families and adult patrons, respectively, which we think is good for the game.
“It’s a strategy that also complements our need to prioritise energy efficiency – and to just do the right thing as a sports organisation, given the challenges we’re facing from climate change these days.”
New Zealand men’s fixtures
vs Bangladesh
1st ODI: December 17, Dunedin
2nd ODI: December 20, Nelson
3rd ODI: December 23, Napier
1st T20I: December 27, Napier
2nd T20I: December 29, Tauranga
3rd T20I: December 31, Tauranga
vs Pakistan
1st T20I: January 12, Auckland
2nd T20I, January 14, Hamilton
3rd T20I, January 17, Dunedin
4th T20I, January 19, Christchurch
5th T20I, January 21, Christchurch
vs South Africa
1st Test: February 4 to 8, Tauranga
2nd Test: February 13-17, Hamilton
vs Australia
1st T20I: February 21, Wellington
2nd T20I: February 23, Auckland
3rd T20I: February 25, Auckland
1st Test: February 29-March 4, Wellington
2nd Test: March 8-12, Christchurch
New Zealand women’s fixtures
vs Pakistan
1st T20I: December 3, Dunedin
2nd T20I: December 5, Dunedin
3rd T20I: December 9, Queenstown
1st ODI: December 12, Queenstown
2nd ODI: December 15, Christchurch
3rd ODI: December 18, Christchurch
vs England
1st T20I: March 19, Dunedin
2nd T20I: March 22, Nelson
3rd T20I: March 24, Nelson
4th T20I: March 27, Wellington
5th T20I: March 29, Wellington
1st ODI: April 1, Wellington
2nd ODI: April 4, Hamilton
3rd ODI: April 7, Hamilton