Blackcaps to Face Packed International Schedule: Australia, England, West Indies, and South Africa to Tour New Zealand

Saturday - 12/07/2025 04:07

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

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled a jam-packed home schedule for the 2025-26 season, featuring visits from Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. The Blackcaps will compete across multiple formats, while the White Ferns are set for a twin white-ball series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

New Zealand men's team gears up for a busy cricket season ahead of the T20 World Cup

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

Key Fixtures for the Blackcaps

Australia: The summer kicks off with three T20 Internationals against Australia, starting on October 1st.
England: Following the series against Australia, England will tour New Zealand for three T20Is (beginning October 18th) and three ODIs (beginning October 26th).
West Indies: The West Indies will arrive for an extensive tour, including five T20Is starting November 5th, three ODIs starting November 16th, and three Test matches, the first of which begins on December 6th.

White Ferns' Home Season

Following their participation in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka until early November, the White Ferns will play 14 white-ball games at home, beginning early next year.

Zimbabwe: New Zealand will host Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series starting on February 25th, followed by a three-match ODI series, part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, starting March 5th.
South Africa: A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's side, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against South Africa Women between March 29th and April 4th.

NZC's Perspective

"It's great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the Blackcaps and White Ferns, and especially pleasing for NZC to host the first-ever series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand women," NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink stated. He highlighted the opportunity for fans to see top-tier cricket across major centers, particularly the doubleheaders against South Africa.

Weenink added, "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."

Player's Take

Pace bowler Kyle Jamieson expressed his excitement, stating, "It feels like a marquee summer. The calibre of opposition means we'll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that's what you want as a cricketer." He also emphasized the importance of playing in front of home crowds and hoped for strong support from Kiwi fans.