Black Caps Set for Action-Packed Home Summer Against Cricket Heavyweights

Wednesday - 25/06/2025 10:11

The South Africa leg will see double-headers involving both the men's and women's teams

New Zealand is set to welcome a host of international cricket powerhouses, including Australia, England, West Indies, and South Africa, for a jam-packed home summer in 2025-26. The NZC unveiled the schedule, which also features a series for the women's team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Black Caps prepare for a busy season leading up to the T20 World Cup

The men's team have a packed schedule ahead of the T20 World Cup next year © Getty

The action begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 1st. Following this, England will tour for a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).

West Indies will then arrive for an extensive tour that includes all three formats. The tour commences with a five-match T20I series on November 5th, followed by three ODIs starting November 16th, and three Tests, with the first Test scheduled for December 6th.

The White Ferns will also have a busy home season with 14 white-ball matches, commencing early next year after the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe will tour New Zealand for the first time for a three-match T20I series starting on February 25th, followed by a three-match ODI series as part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, beginning March 5th.

Adding to the excitement, the White Ferns will play a five-match T20I series against South Africa in the form of double-headers alongside the men's teams, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. They will also play three ODIs against the Proteas Women between March 29th and April 4th.

According to NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink: "It's great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the Blackcaps and White Ferns, and especially pleasing for NZC to host the first-ever series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand women. Fans will see top-tier cricket across all our major centres, with the doubleheaders against South Africa offering a chance to watch the very best female and male cricketers in the world on display in a unique day-out experience."

He further added, "We're thrilled to build this exciting home summer around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and on the back of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, giving our players a chance to shine on the global stage as well as at home in front of their own fans. We've seen fantastic crowds across the country over the past few seasons and are looking forward to that continuing this summer given the strength of the schedule."

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, stating, "It feels like a marquee summer. The calibre of opposition means we'll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that's what you want as a cricketer. It's great to have another three-Test series at home and I'm sure the fans will get in behind the Test team as they have in seasons gone by. It's always special to play in front of a home crowd and we're hoping Kiwis will get out in force to support us once again this summer."

New Zealand's Home Schedule 2025-26

vs Australia