Cricket: Windies agree to three tests on 2006 tour

The West Indies have agreed to play three cricket tests, instead of two, in New Zealand next summer.

New Zealand's 2005-06 home international programme released today features a three-test series against the West Indies.

The original itinerary contained just two tests but New Zealand Cricket (NZC) sought to extend the series to partially compensate for the New Zealand Government's refusal to grant visas to the Zimbabwe team, who had intended touring here in December.

"Attempts to replace the cancelled Zimbabwe tour have been partially successful," NZC chief executive Martin Snedden 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."

The West Indies arrive in February for a visit featuring one Twenty20 match, five one-dayers and the tests.

The first test, on March 9-13 at Auckland's Eden Park, will mark the 50th anniversary of New Zealand's first test victory, against the West Indies at the same ground.

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

The home international season -- featuring three tests, 12 one-dayers and one Twenty20 match -- begins in December when the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series is played on New Zealand soil for the first time.

The Black Caps meet Australia in three matches. The inaugural series was held last year in Australia, ending in a 1-1 tie after one match was washed out.

That series is followed by four one-dayers against Sri Lanka, then a visit by the West Indies for three test, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 match.

The matches against Sri Lanka were rescheduled from last summer following the Boxing Day tsunami in the Indian Ocean that devastated Sri Lanka and other countries.

New Zealand's international cricket programme for 2005-06:-

* Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series against Australia

December 3 - first one-day international (ODI) at Eden Park, Auckland
Dec 7 - second ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Dec 10 - third ODI at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
One-day internationals against Sri Lanka
Dec 31 - first ODI at Events Centre, Queenstown
January 3 - second ODI at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Jan 6 - third ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Jan 8 - fourth ODI at McLean Park, Napier

* West Indies tour

Feb 16 - Twenty20 international at Eden Park, Auckland
Feb 18 - first ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Feb 22 - second ODI at Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown
Feb 25 - third ODI at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
March 1 - fourth ODI at McLean Park, Napier
Mar 4 - fifth ODI at Eden Park, Auckland
Mar 9-13 - first test at Eden Park, Auckland
March 17-21 - second test at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Mar 25-29 - third test at McLean Park, Napier

- NZPA