Black Caps Prepare for Blockbuster Home Series Against Cricket Powerhouses

Wednesday - 25/06/2025 11:36

The South Africa leg will see double-headers involving both the men's and women's teams

New Zealand's men's cricket team is set to have a busy home summer in 2025-26, hosting Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies in a series of matches across various formats. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the schedule which also includes a twin white-ball series for the women's team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Black Caps anticipating a busy schedule leading up to the T20 World Cup

The men's team have a packed schedule ahead of the T20 World Cup next year © Getty

Men's Schedule Highlights

Australia: The summer begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 1st.
England: Following the series against Australia, England will arrive for a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).
West Indies: The West Indies will then tour New Zealand for a multi-format series, beginning with five T20Is on November 5th, followed by three ODIs (starting November 16th), and three Tests, with the first Test commencing on December 6th.

Women's Schedule Focuses on White-Ball Cricket

The White Ferns, after participating in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, will play 14 white-ball games at home, starting early next year.

Zimbabwe: New Zealand will host Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series starting February 25th, followed by a three-match ODI series (part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29) from March 5th.
South Africa: A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's matches from March 15th to 25th. Additionally, three T20Is against South Africa Women are scheduled between March 29th and April 4th.

Official Statements

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink expressed his excitement about the diverse range of opponents and the opportunity to host Zimbabwe's women's team for the first time. He also highlighted the unique experience of the double-headers against South Africa.

"We're thrilled to build this exciting home summer around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and on the back of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, giving our players a chance to shine on the global stage as well as at home in front of their own fans," he added.

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, calling it a "marquee summer" and emphasizing the constant challenge posed by the high-caliber opposition.