Black Caps Set for Blockbuster Home Summer Against Cricket Heavyweights

Wednesday - 25/06/2025 10:14

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

New Zealand is set to host a thrilling home summer of cricket in 2025-26, welcoming Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board has announced a schedule packed with matches across various formats. Simultaneously, the White Ferns are preparing for a series of white-ball clashes against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The Black Caps have a busy schedule leading up to the T20 World Cup.

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

Schedule Overview

Australia: The summer begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 1st.
England: Following the series against Australia, England will tour for a series of three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).
West Indies: The West Indies will then arrive for an extensive tour that includes five T20Is commencing November 5th, followed by three ODIs starting November 16th, and three Tests, with the first match beginning on December 6th.

The White Ferns will also be in action, participating in 14 white-ball games starting early next year, following their involvement in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka until early November.

White Ferns' Schedule

The White Ferns are set to make history by hosting Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series beginning on February 25th. This will be closely followed by a three-match ODI series, a key part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, starting March 5th.

A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be staged as double-headers alongside the men's matches, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. Additionally, the White Ferns will play three T20Is against the Proteas Women between March 29th and April 4th.

Officials' Statements

"It's fantastic 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," said NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink. He also noted, "Fans will see top-tier cricket across all our major centers, 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."

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, saying, "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."