Black Caps Set for Blockbuster Home Summer Against Cricket's Elite: Australia, England, West Indies, and South Africa to Tour New Zealand

Friday - 11/07/2025 03:05

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 for a series of matches across various formats. The NZC (New Zealand Cricket) has officially announced the schedule, which also includes a twin white-ball series for the women's team, featuring South Africa and Zimbabwe.

New Zealand men's cricket team schedule announcement.

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

Black Caps Summer Schedule

The action begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 1st. Following this, England will arrive for a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is, commencing October 18th, and three ODIs, starting October 26th.

West Indies are slated for an extensive multi-format tour, which includes a five-match T20I series starting November 5th, followed by three ODIs beginning November 16th, and three Test matches, with the first Test commencing on December 6th.

White Ferns to Host Zimbabwe for the First Time

The White Ferns will also have a busy home season with 14 white-ball games, starting early next year, after their participation in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka until early November.

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

Their five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's side of both countries, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against the Proteas Women, between March 29th and April 4th.

NZC Executives and Players Quote

"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.

"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," he added.

"It feels like a marquee summer," said pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson. "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."