2 Aug 2017

Auckland still a chance for day-night test

7:34 am on 2 August 2017

New Zealand Cricket remain optimistic about their bid to hold a day-night test match in Auckland next summer.

Eden Park

Eden Park Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The match against England is hinging on resource consent from Auckland Council being granted as playing under lights at Eden Park is not allowed on a Sunday.

NZC chief executive David White says they're going through that process now.

"We've completed a resource consent hearing with Eden Park and we're hopeful that within in the next week or two we'll have a result from the independent commission on whether it will proceed or not," he said.

The match will be played in Auckland as a regular test if resource consent denied, but White says an inaugural pink ball test at Eden Park would be a notable success if it went ahead as proposed.

"We think it's critical that we look to be innovative in this space and, also, that a Test match championship is ratified by the ICC at its October meeting," he said.

"The Test game needs to have more context, and be more relevant, especially for the younger generations coming through."

The test would be a highlight of a busy international home schedule announced this morning. New Zealand will host 35 cricket internationals this summer with a T20 Tri-series and tours by five teams.

There will be visits by the West Indian men's and women's sides, as well as from Pakistan, Australia, and England, along with the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

White said the summer schedule continued a trend of top-billing sides coming to New Zealand, and its geographical spread allowed supporters in all regions an opportunity to enjoy quality international cricket.

"It's a special time for cricket in New Zealand when we see as many as five international teams visiting, and to have powerhouses such as England and Australia included in that mix is always exciting.

Over the Christmas and New Year's break there will be a Boxing Day ODI against the West Indies at Hagley Oval, a T20 against the same opponents in Nelson, and a double-header to complete the series at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.

The T20 Tri-Series between the Black Caps, Australia, and England (the final of which will be played at Eden Park on February 21) - will be the first-ever T20 Tri- Series contested by full ICC members.

The ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup, starting on January 13 and to be played out of Whangarei, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown.

The West Indies will follow a brace of Tests with three ODIs and three T20s, Pakistan will arrive to play five ODIs and three T20s, after which the Black Caps will square off against Australia and England in the Tri-Series.

The packed summer programme then reaches a climax in late February when England starts a tour comprising five ODIs and two Tests, the first of which would be the day-night match.

The West Indian women will arrive in March and play three ODIs and five T20s against the White Ferns, of which the ODIs will count towards rankings in the ICC Women's World Championship.

Black Caps schedule

West Indies tour

1st test - Basin Reserve - Friday Dec 1 to Tuesday Dec 5

2nd test - Seddon Park - Saturday Dec 9 to Wednesday Dec 13

1st ODI - Cobham Oval - Wednesday Dec 20

2nd ODI - Hagley Oval - Saturday Dec 23

3rd ODI - Hagley Oval - Tuesday Dec 26

1st T20 - Saxton Oval - Friday Dec 29

2nd T20 - Bay Oval - Monday Jan 1

3rd T20 - Bay Oval - Wednesday Jan 3

Pakistan tour

1st ODI - Basin Reserve - Saturday Jan 6

2nd ODI - Saxton Oval - Tuesday Jan 9

3rd ODI - University of Otago Oval - Saturday Jan 13

4th ODI - Seddon Park - Tuesday Jan 16

5th ODI - Basin Reserve - Friday Jan 19

1st T20 - Westpac Stadium - Monday Jan 22

2nd T20 - Eden Park - Thursday Jan 25

3rd T20 - Bay Oval - Sunday Jan 28

T20 Tri-Series

Black Caps v England - Westpac Stadium, Tuesday Feb 13

Black Caps v Australia - Eden Park, Friday Feb 16

Black Caps v England - Seddon Park, Sunday Feb 18

T20 Tri-Series final - Eden Park, Wed Feb 21

England tour

1st ODI - Seddon Park - Sunday Feb 25

2nd ODI - McLean Park - Wed Feb 28

3rd ODI - Westpac Stadium - Satuday March 3

4th ODI - University of Otago Oval - Wednesday March 7

5th ODI - Hagley Oval - Saturday March 10

1st test - Eden Park - Thursday March 22-Monday March 26

2nd test - Hagley Oval - Friday March 30-Tuesday 3 Apr