Cricket: Extra Windies test fills Zimbabwe vacuum

New Zealand has managed to entice the West Indies here for an extra test next year, in an effort to fill the gap left by the doomed Zimbabwe visit.

Chief executive Martin Snedden yesterday released the schedule for New Zealand's summer programme, already working on the basis that Zimbabwe will be prevented from fulfilling their pre-Christmas touring obligations.

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Foreign Minister Phil Goff have confirmed that Zimbabwe will not be allowed into New Zealand for the scheduled December visit, and the stance is expected to be confirmed in the near future.

Snedden had previously sounded pessimistic about recouping the expected $3 million loss from the banning, but yesterday said an extra test against the West Indies would go some way towards alleviating the situation.

"Attempts to replace the cancelled Zimbabwe tour have been partially successful," he said. "The West Indies Cricket Board has agreed to a third test match, which will assist us to mitigate any potential losses from the cancelled tour.

"In normal circumstances, under the Future Tours Programme agreement the West Indies would have only played two tests on this tour."

New Zealand's international season will begin in December when they host the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series for the first time, the matches being scheduled for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The series will be followed by a four match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to make up for the games lost last summer after the tourists returned to their tsunami-devastated homeland. The Sri Lankan ODIs will be contested at Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and Napier.

"In setting the itinerary, an attempt has been made to ensure international cricket is played throughout the country," said Snedden.

"We've scheduled two one-day matches in Queenstown, recognising the quality and appeal of this venue.

"Carisbrook is unable to be considered until the ground's new drop-in pitch has been proven at domestic level and we will look to return international cricket to Westpac Park in Hamilton once the ground's pitch issues have been resolved."

The West Indian visit will begin with a Twenty20 match at Auckland on February 16, to be followed by five ODIs, in Wellington, Queenstown, Christchurch, Napier and Auckland.

The first test against the West Indies will start at Eden Park on March 9 in what will be the 50th anniversary of New Zealand's maiden test win (also against the West Indies) at Auckland in 1956.

"We expect this anniversary to be a very special occasion for cricket in New Zealand and will be appropriately celebrated at that time, " Snedden said.

The second test will start at the Basin Reserve on March 17, and the third will begin in Napier on March 25.

NEW ZEALAND'S INTERNATIONAL CRICKET PROGRAMME FOR 2005-06

Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against Australia

Dec 3: Eden Park, Auckland

Dec 7: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Dec 10: Jade Stadium, Christchurch

One-day internationals against Sri Lanka

Dec 31: Events Centre, Queenstown

January 3: Jade Stadium, Christchurch

Jan 6: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Jan 8: McLean Park, Napier

West Indies tour

Feb 16: Twenty20, Eden Park, Auckland

Feb 18: ODI, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Feb 22: ODI, Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown

Feb 25: ODI, Jade Stadium, Christchurch

March 1: ODI, McLean Park, Napier

Mar 4: ODI, Eden Park, Auckland

Mar 9-13: First test, Eden Park, Auckland

March 17-2: Second test, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Mar 25-29: Third test, McLean Park, Napier