Blackcaps to Face Packed International Schedule Featuring Australia, England, West Indies, and South Africa in New Zealand Home Summer

Wednesday - 09/07/2025 03:40

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

New Zealand is gearing up to host a series of high-profile international cricket matches during the 2025-26 home summer. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a schedule that includes visits from Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, across multiple formats. The White Ferns, the New Zealand women's team, will also feature in a twin white-ball series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

New Zealand Men's Cricket Team Ready for Busy Season

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

Key Series and Matches

The summer season will commence with a three-match T20 International (T20I) series against Australia, starting on October 1st. Following this, England will arrive for a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is (beginning October 18th) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs), starting October 26th.

The West Indies will then embark on a comprehensive tour, beginning with a five-match T20I series on November 5th. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series, commencing November 16th, and a three-Test series, with the first Test starting on December 6th.

White Ferns' Schedule

The White Ferns have a busy schedule as well. After their participation in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, they will play 14 white-ball games at home, starting early next year.

A historic moment will occur when the White Ferns host Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series, starting on February 25th. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series, part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, beginning March 5th.

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

What NZC Chief Said

"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," said NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink. "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 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."

Player Perspective

New Zealand pace bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the excitement, 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."