Wellington, Jun 21: England will play three tests, three one-dayers and three Twenty20 internationals on its cricket tour to New Zealand starting next February.
The Feb. 4-March 26 tour will include the first test played at Auckland's Eden Park since 2006. But New Zealand Cricket said it had been unable to schedule a match in earthquake-hit Christchurch because of the lack of a suitable venue.
The tour will begin with two T20 warmup matches against a New Zealand XI at Whangarei before T20 internationals at Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington on Feb. 9, 12 and 15.
The one-day internationals will be played at Hamilton, Napier and Auckland and the test matches at Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland.
“We felt the England tour presented a good opportunity to allocate a match to our largest city,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said.
“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.”
With Christchurch unable to host a game, Dunedin took over as the South Island's test venue. It will be the first time England had played a test in Dunedin since 1966.
Itinerary:
Feb, 4, vs New Zealand XI, T20 warmup, Whangarei.
Feb. 6, vs. New Zealand XI, T20 warmup, Whangarei.
Feb. 9, vs. New Zealand, first Twenty20 international, Auckland.
Feb. 12, vs. New Zealand, second Twenty20 international, Hamilton.
Feb. 15, vs. New Zealand, third Twenty20 international, Wellington.
Feb. 17, vs. New Zealand, first ODI, Hamilton.
Feb. 20, vs. New Zealand, second ODI, Napier.
Feb. 23, vs. New Zealand, third ODI, Auckland.
Feb. 27-March 2, vs. New Zealand XI, Queenstown.
March 6-10, vs. New Zealand, first test, Dunedin.
March 14-18, vs. New Zealand, second test, Wellington.
March 22-26, vs. New Zealand, third test, Auckland.
