WTC 2023-25: New Zealand to host South Africa and Australia

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Tuesday, July 18 that they will host South Africa and Australia for two Tests each as part of the new World Test Championship cycle 2023-25. South Africa will tour New Zealand for two games from February 4 to February 17, and following the conclusion of the series, they will host Australia for the same number of Tests beginning on February 29.

Before hosting South Africa and Australia in December 2023, the Black Caps will face Bangladesh in an ODI and T20I series. In January, they will play Pakistan in a five-match T20I series and Australia in three T20Is. The white-ball matches will assist the countries in their preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

NZC also announced the Women’s team’s summer itinerary, with the White Ferns hosting Pakistan Women in an ODI and T20I series. Although the dates have yet to be formalised by the board, they will also host England Women for five Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.

Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Cricket (NZC), David White, stated that the men’s and women’s teams’ packed international schedule will help increase the game’s prominence in New Zealand. Notably, this will be the first Test series tour of New Zealand by an Australian team since 2016.

“It’s an incredibly exciting moment for cricket in New Zealand, both in terms of the great series and teams on offer this summer and the fact that fans can either attend the games in person or watch them live and for free on television. White was quoted by ICC as saying, “We’ve been able to schedule several back-to-back night matches and day matches to provide good opportunities for both families and adult patrons, which we believe is good for the game.”