The National Bank Series for 2006/07 will feature two Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka as part of a Sri Lankan series itinerary which will also include two Test matches and five One-Day Internationals in December and January.
The world champion Australians will then be in New Zealand to contest the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in a three match ODI series in February.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Martin Snedden said the Twenty20 matches in Auckland and Wellington should both be well supported.
“There has been a great deal of interest in the Twenty20 format in the past two years and we expect this explosive form of the game to be as popular in Wellington as it has been in Auckland.
“The Sri Lankan series will see Test matches played in both the North and South Islands as well as one-day matches at key venues around the country and a First Class match at the University Oval in Dunedin.
“The second Sri Lankan ODI has been provisionally allocated to be played at Queenstown. However we still need to work through some outstanding issues before we can confirm this venue.
“The decision to play two Twenty20 matches in place of an extra Test match against Sri Lanka was made both for climatic reasons and because the Twenty20 format has more potential to develop players as we build towards next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
“We decided that the risk of playing three Test matches pre-Christmas was too great. The weather tends to be unsettled at this time of year and playing the extra Test would have seen the first match played in late November.
“The amount of Test cricket scheduled for the BLACKCAPS in the next 18 months is minimal and we believe it is more beneficial to concentrate on the one-day game as we lead into the ICC Cricket World Cup and to prepare players for the Twenty20 World Cup.
“Last year’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series provided exciting cricket in some closely fought matches and we expect excellent crowd attendances.
“We are pleased to be returning international cricket to Seddon Park in Hamilton after a one season break. There has been a significant investment by the Hamilton City Council to improve the pitch, outfield and to provide new practice facilities.
“We expect the match to be well supported by the Waikato public.”
BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka
Thu 30 November - Sun 03 December: Sri Lanka v State Otago Volts, University Oval, Dunedin
Thu 07 - Mon 11: 1st Test, Jade Stadium, Christchurch (10.30am)
Fri 15 - Tue 19: 2nd Test, Basin Reserve, Wellington (10.30am)
Friday 22: Twenty20, Westpac Stadium, Wellington (7.00pm)
Tuesday 26: Twenty20, Eden Park, Auckland (2.00pm)
Thursday 28: 1st ODI, McLean Park, Napier (11.00am)
Sunday 31: 2nd ODI, Queenstown Events Centre (11.00am) *
Tuesday 02 January 2007: 3rd ODI, Jade Stadium, Christchurch (11.00am)
Saturday 06: 4th ODI, Eden Park, Auckland (2.00pm)
Tuesday 09: 5th ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton (2.00pm)
* Provisional allocation
BLACKCAPS v Australia - Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
Friday 16 February: 1st ODI, Westpac Stadium, Wellington 2.00pm
Sunday 18: 2nd ODI, Eden Park, Auckland (TBC)
Tuesday 20: 3rd ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton (2.00pm)
