Black Caps Gear Up for Star-Studded Home Summer Against Australia, England, West Indies & South Africa

Wednesday - 25/06/2025 10:52

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

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled a comprehensive home schedule for the 2025-26 season, featuring both the men's and women's teams in a series of high-profile matches. Fans can look forward to seeing Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies compete on New Zealand soil. The White Ferns will also participate in a twin white-ball series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

New Zealand men's team prepares for a busy season

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

Black Caps' Schedule

The Black Caps will commence their season with three T20 Internationals (T20Is) against Australia, starting on October 1. Following this, England will tour for a series of three T20Is (beginning October 18) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) (starting October 26).

The West Indies will then arrive for an extensive tour, which includes a five-match T20I series starting November 5, followed by three ODIs from November 16, and three Test matches, with the first Test commencing on December 6.

White Ferns' Schedule

The White Ferns, after participating in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka until early November, will play 14 white-ball games at home, beginning early next year.

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

The five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men’s teams of both countries, from March 15 to 25. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against South Africa Women between March 29 and April 4.

Key Quotes

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink stated, "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." He added, "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."

Weenink further noted the importance of the schedule in relation to major international tournaments: "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 commented, "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."