Trans-Tasman battles to resume
New Zealand’s men and women cricketers are locked in for another shot at one of the ultimate challenges: winning a series in Australia.
Cricket Australia announced a bumper home 2020-21 season on Thursday night, highlighted by a muchanticipated four-test series against Virat Kohli’s India starting in Brisbane on December 3.
Before then, Sophie Devine and the White Ferns will play a three-match Twenty20 series against Australia, the reigning world champions, starting in September.
A Rose Bowl ODI series between the sides will follow in Townsville on October 5, Cairns on October 7 and Gold Coast on October 10 as a precursor to the ICC Women’s World Cup which New Zealand is scheduled to host in FebruaryMarch.
The Black Caps return later in the summer, after their three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series was cut short after just one match – a heavy defeat in Sydney in March – due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Kane Williamson and his side are pencilled in for an Australia Day series opener on January 26 in Adelaide followed by ODIs in Canberra on January 29 and Hobart on January 31.
The Black Caps will wrap up the Australian home summer with a one-off T20 international in Sydney on February 2.
The men’s T20 World Cup is still tentatively scheduled for Australia from October 18 to November 15, but it is widely expected to be postponed due to the impact of the pandemic.
New Zealand Cricket is yet to announce its home fixtures for 2020-21, but it hopes to host Australia at some stage of the summer.
■ Sept 27: First T20 at North Sydney Oval
■ Sept 29: Second T20 at North Sydney Oval
■ Oct 1: Third T20 at North Sydney Oval
■ Oct 5: First ODI at Riverway Stadium, Townsville
■ Oct 7: Second ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns
■ Oct 10: Third ODI at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
White Ferns v Australia:
Black Caps v Australia:
■ Jan 26: First ODI at Adelaide Oval
■ Jan 29: Second ODI at Manuka Oval, Canberra
■ Jan 31: Third ODI at Blundstone Arena, Hobart
■ Feb 2: Only T20 at Sydney Cricket Ground