The dates for the Black Caps’ first four-test tour of Australia have been confirmed, with the series being crammed into just over four weeks.
The series begins in Perth from December 9-13, then moves to Adelaide from December 17-21, before the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s fixtures in Melbourneand Sydney respectively.
The Black Caps haven’t played a four-test series since 1999, a 2-1 series victory in England. They’ll also be searching for maiden wins at three of the four grounds, having never beaten Australia in Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney.
The side’s only victory in Perth was 1985, when Sir Richard Hadlee took 11 for 155 for the match to secure a 2-1 series win.
Their last test win in Australia was in 2011 in Hobart, while Australia won the last series in 2019 3-0, with victories in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
The four-test series will take place over 31 days, with the longest break between matches being the four days between second and third tests.
The Black Caps will go into the opening test in Perth without a warm-up game in Australia. The recent Ashes series began in Perth, with the opening test finishing within two days.
The two sides currently sit in the top two spots in the World Test Championship standings, however the Black Caps tour England for three tests in June and then host India in October before the Australia tour.
