Cricket: NZ Cricket set to scrap Aussie test

The last time the Chappell-Hadlee trophy was contested as a series was in 2010, when Australia triumphed 3-2 in New Zealand. Photo / NZME.

The Black Caps might have agitated for a three-test series against England but New Zealand Cricket are reportedly in negotiations to drop one home test against Australia this summer in favour of three Chappell-Hadlee one-day internationals.

Australia are due to play three tests in New Zealand in February - the Black Caps will also tour Australia in November - but NZC are looking to trim it back to a two-test series in order to carry on the momentum from this year's World Cup when Australia beat New Zealand in the final.

"It's an interesting debate," NZ Cricket CEO David White told Fairfax media. "We want three-match test series where possible and there's been a lot of valid discussion about that over the last week [after the drawn two-Test series in England].

"But on the back of the success of Cricket World Cup, and bearing in mind we would have played three test matches in Australia [in November], it would be very appealing to have three Chappell-Hadlee ODIs in New Zealand."

Cricket Australia were "very receptive" to the idea, according to White.

NZC are keen to play Australia more regularly in a post-Future Tours Programme world cricket now operates in - tours are now negotiated between individual countries over an eight-year period.

The last time the Chappell-Hadlee trophy was contested as a series was in 2010, when Australia triumphed 3-2 in New Zealand. The Black Caps won back the trophy this year with their win over Australia in pool play at the World Cup.

"I'm confident that in most of those eight years we'll have Chappell-Hadlee series, home and away," White said. "It's very much on the table which we're delighted about."

White also said the controversial day-night test in Australia in November was still a possibility, despite the fact the players are opposed to being used as guinea pigs in what is a very important series - the test is due to be played with a pink ball.