New Zealand Braces for Blockbuster Cricket Summer as Australia, England, South Africa & West Indies Confirm Tours

Thursday - 10/07/2025 04:02

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

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a thrilling home summer schedule for 2025-26, featuring a stellar lineup of international teams. Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies are all set to tour, promising a summer of high-octane cricket across various formats. The White Ferns, New Zealand's women's team, will also be in action, hosting both South Africa and Zimbabwe in exciting white-ball series.

New Zealand's men's cricket team prepares for a busy home season ahead of the T20 World Cup.

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

Black Caps' Schedule Highlights

The Black Caps will begin their summer campaign with a three-match T20I series against their rivals, Australia, starting on October 1st. Following this, England will arrive for a white-ball series, which includes three T20Is commencing on October 18th and three ODIs starting on 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 three ODIs, starting November 16th, and a three-Test match series, with the first Test commencing on December 6th.

White Ferns' Home Season

Fresh from the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, the White Ferns will have a busy home season with 14 white-ball games scheduled.

A historic moment will occur as 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 on March 5th.

Adding to the excitement, a five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's teams, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three additional T20Is against South Africa between March 29th and April 4th.

What Officials are Saying

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season: "It's great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the Black Caps 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."