Hamilton’s Seddon Park will host two One Day Internationals, while Aucklanders and Wellingtonians will get to enjoy both a Test and an ODI when the Indians tour this summer.
The ANZ International Series against the current ICC Cricket World Cup champions will start in Napier on Sunday 19 January and will feature five ODIs, two Tests and a two day warm-up game in Whangarei.
The Indian tour follows three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s against the West Indies – giving New Zealand fans 37 days of international cricket at home this summer.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White says it will certainly be an Indian summer in the Waikato.
“We felt that with the Tests in Wellington and Auckland, that Hamilton was the best spot for a second one dayer with a large Indian population on their doorstep.”
International and domestic broadcasters request that ODIs are day-night matches played under lights, and White adds that only four New Zealand venues have permanent lights.
Northern Districts Chief Executive Peter Roach says they’re excited about hosting the world’s best ODI team on two occasions.
“Seddon Park will soon feel like a second home to the Indian team as they are also scheduled for a Cricket World Cup fixture in Hamilton in 2015.”
“India is a much-loved team with a large number of passionate supporters, and our fans will be eager to see how the BLACKCAPS, after recent success in one dayers, go against the best one year out from hosting the World Cup.”
Central Districts Chief Executive Hugh Henderson is delighted to be hosting the opening game in Napier.
“The Indian team are a huge drawcard throughout the world so the opportunity to host them on a Sunday in January will be fantastic for the region.”
White says that while it’s disappointing not to be able to take an Indian match to the South Island, there are two ODIs and a Test there in the West Indies tour as well as plenty of action in the south during CWC 2015.
The Indian tour sees Test match cricket return to Eden Park after the success of this year’s England Test attended by 39,000 fans. The second Test will be held at the country’s premier Test venue, the Hawkins Basin Reserve, which sold out on the Saturday of the England Test.
