International cricket coming to Napier

McLean Park

International cricket is coming to Napier.

New Zealand Cricket has announced a domestic schedule for the next two summers which includes 12 test matches and a total of 98 days of international cricket.

The schedule for the 2016-2017 season includes seven tests - two each against Pakistan and Bangladesh and three against South Africa - along with 11 one-day internationals and four Twenty20 internationals.

New Zealand will also play a three-match Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against Australia with matches in Auckland, Napier and Hamilton. South Africa's tour comprises three tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

The 2017-2018 domestic season, which will contain five tests, 17 one-day internationals and five T20s, will be one of New Zealand's busiest on record.

The West Indies will arrive in November, 2017 for a tour incorporating three tests, five ODIs and one T20 internatonal.Pakistan will play three Twenty20 and five one-day internationals while Australia will play a Chappell-Hadlee series for the third-straight year.

New Zealand will then meet England in two tests and five one-day internationals with a possible day-night test at Auckland's Eden Park.

"The last couple of years has seen a significant rise in interest in cricket and I think the schedule we've locked in will help that interest continue to grow," NZC chief executive David White said.

"There's some obvious highlights with two more Chappell-Hadlee series at home, a three match test series against South Africa and the probability of a day-night test against England at Eden Park."While we can't confirm it yet, it's something we're extremely interested in and working towards."-AP