ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced that New Zealand Cricket (NZC) had confirmed the West Indies men’s team tour of New Zealand later this year.
CWI president Ricky Skerritt was upbeat about the upcoming tour set for November 27 to December 15.
“We are pleased to be able to fulfill our obligation to tour New Zealand as we continue to get our ICC Future Tours Programme back on track, in spite of the financial difficulties we face,” said Skerritt.
This is the second tour by the West Indies men’s team following their tour of England earlier this year and they will oppose New Zealand in three T20 Internationals (T20I) and two Test matches.
The tour has been given the green light following confirmation by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) that they have received their Government’s approval to proceed with plans to host international cricket.
The tour, however, is subject to the final COVID-19 medical protocols being approved by the CWI Medical Advisory Committee and regional Government health and aviation officials.
“I want to thank CWI CEO Johnny Grave and Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams, and their operations team, for successfully partnering with NZC to make this tour possible,” said Skerritt.
“Earlier this summer, in collaboration with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), we restarted international cricket, globally. Fortunately, that England tour included the successful testing of safety protocols which we expect will be the standard for all international cricket tours. COVID-19 has created a most challenging period for cricketers and fans alike, with all the schedules being adjusted and amended. We see this tour as another timely opportunity to keep our players working and our fans entertained,” said Skerritt.
The proposed West Indies tour to New Zealand will start with the defending T20 World Cup champions facing the Black Caps at Eden Park in Auckland for a match under lights. The series then moves to Mount Maunganui for two matches at the picturesque Bay Oval – the first a day match and the second under lights. West Indies will then travel to Hamilton for the first Test at Seddon Park and then south to Wellington for the second match at the historic Basin Reserve.
The T20Is will be the start of an 11-month schedule of matches building up to the ICC T20 World Cup, rescheduled for October 2021 in India. The opening contest at Eden Park will be added significance as this is the venue where the two teams met in their first T20I contest back in 2006. That match ended in a tie which forced a bowl-off.
Proposed Match Schedule:
November 27: 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland
November 29: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
November 30: 3rd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
December 3-7: 1st Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton
December 11-15: 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington
