Black Caps to Face Cricket Powerhouses in Action-Packed New Zealand Summer

Thursday - 10/07/2025 04:07

The South Africa leg will see double-headers involving both the men's and women's teams

New Zealand is set to be a battleground for cricket supremacy as the Black Caps prepare to host Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies in a thrilling home summer series for 2025-26. The NZC unveiled the schedule, promising a diverse range of formats and high-octane action. Adding to the excitement, the White Ferns are also slated for a double white-ball series, locking horns with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The Black Caps face a busy schedule leading up to the T20 World Cup.

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

The summer season starts with a bang on October 1, as New Zealand clashes with Australia in a three-match T20I series. The rivalry will be fierce, setting the stage for the contests to come. Following this, England will arrive for a white-ball series, starting October 18 with three T20Is and continuing with three ODIs from October 26.

The West Indies tour will be comprehensive, commencing November 5 with a five-match T20I series. The teams will then transition to the ODI format with three matches starting November 16, before culminating in a three-Test series that begins December 6.

Meanwhile, the White Ferns are scheduled for 14 white-ball games, commencing early next year after their involvement in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka until early November.

Zimbabwe will tour for a historic three-match T20I series, marking their first-ever encounter with the White Ferns, starting February 25. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series, a component of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, starting March 5.

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

"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."

He added, "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."

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, "It feels like a marquee summer. 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."

Here's a look at New Zealand's Home Schedule for 2025-26:

Men's Schedule

vs Australia