The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and New Zealand Cricket have announced an extended schedule for India’s tour to New Zealand, which will now include an additional Test match and a second Twenty20 International.
The Indian team will arrive on 20 February, eight days earlier than originally scheduled, with the first tour match being an additional Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25. Napier has been allocated the additional Test, which will form part of a three-match National Bank Test Series.
Mr N Srinivasan, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, said he was delighted that the two national bodies had been able to agree on an extended tour.
“My thanks go to New Zealand Cricket for responding positively to our request for an extended Test series,” he said.
“There have been a number of issues for both Boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme.
“To have such a strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand.”
Justin Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of NZC, said the opportunity for an extended tour by India was great for the game in New Zealand.
“India is probably the most exciting side in the world at present – packed full of superstar players, and the chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans,” he said.
“The tour will give our BLACKCAPS team a great chance to prove themselves against the world's best.”
Vaughan said it was unavoidable that some changes have had to be made to previously scheduled match dates and venues.
“We have worked hard to keep as much of the schedule as possible intact – the result is a tour where more fans will be able to see more games in more places.”
New Zealand Cricket and Ticketek have also advised today that tickets for rescheduled games will remain valid for the new dates.
The full tour schedule is:
February
20 India arrive
25 Twenty20 International Christchurch (new)
27 Twenty20 International Wellington (was 6 Mar)
March
03 1st ODI Napier (was 8 Mar)
06 2nd ODI Wellington (was 17 Mar)
08 3rd ODI Christchurch (was 20 Mar)
11 4th ODI Hamilton (no change)
14 5th ODI Auckland (no change)
18-22 First Test Hamilton (was 26-30 Mar)
26-30 Second Test Napier (new)
April
03-07 Third Test Wellington (no change)
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