CENTRAL DISTRICTS CRICKET, together with Nelson City Council, Napier City Council and NZC, is looking forward to welcoming back the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS to play in our region next summer.

With the details of New Zealand Cricket's 2026/27 international home summer unveiled today, CD Cricket is proud to confirm the following fixtures:

• A Thursday, 10 December 2026 T20 International in Nelson between the WHITE FERNS and Bangladesh, the opening match of the tour with a spectator-friendly 4pm start time for the week day

• A Saturday, 12 December 2026 T20 International in Nelson between the WHITE FERNS and Bangladesh (1pm start)

• A Saturday, 16 January 2027 One-Day International in Napier between the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka, the opening match of the tour (11am start)

• A Friday, 29 January 2027 T20 International in Nelson between the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka, the second an potentially decisive match of the T20i Series with a spectator-friendly 4pm start time for Friday

• A Sunday, 31 January 2027 T20 International in Nelson between the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka, the third (final) and potentially decisive match of the T20i Series with a 1pm start on the Nelson Anniversary Day weekend

VIEW THE FULL SCHEDULE HERE

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BLACKCAP and Central Stag Will Young said he's expecting the Sri Lanka series to be a very competitive one - combined with a terrific atmosphere.

"We know Sri Lanka receives strong [local] support when they come here," he said.

"Their fans are brilliant and bring a real atmosphere to the games with their music."

An extensive Central Stags and Hinds calendar will also provide plenty of options throughout the CD region and season for the public to take in high-quality national cricket action - those match dates will be inked in over the coming weeks.

The BLACKCAPS have a big overall season in store with world powerhouse India touring across October and November to contest five T20 Internationals, followed by five ODIs and two Tests. 

Sri Lanka arrives in January to play their three ODIs and three T20is, followed by two Test matches in February for a second all-format tour of the home summer.

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The WHITE FERNS' series against Bangladesh this December will meanwhile be just the second time Bangladesh has made a women's bilateral tour to our shores. 

The teams play three T20 Internationals and three ODIs, and national captain Melie Kerr says the series will be a brilliant opportunity for New Zealand.

"This series is a chance to build real momentum heading into next year", says Kerr.

"The ICC Women's Champions Trophy is on the horizon, and every series between now and then is crucial for our development as a team.

"Playing at home, in front of our whānau and supporters, gives us that extra edge.

"The grounds are intimate, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the vibe is good. Every year, the crowds coming to watch us get bigger."

Hinds Rosemary Mair and Flora Devonshire are currently away in England with Kerr at the ICC T20 International Women's World Cup, a title currently held by New Zealand.

Central Stags Blair Tickner and Dean Foxcroft meanwhile chalked up significant milestones with the BLACKCAPS across the divide in Ireland over the last week.

Already a white-ball cap with the team, 28-year-old Foxcroft made his Test debut in the four-day Test against Ireland in Stormont, Belfast and reached 98 in his maiden innings. 

Missing out on a century on debut was bittersweet, but Foxcroft was batting down at eight and racing against the clock for three figures, after earlier big centuries to Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell had put a declaration in the viewfinder.

Foxcroft did his best to cash in with hasty runs in what would prove to be the last over of the New Zealand innings before the declaration - and had to wear being caught at the death.

He achieved the highest score by any New Zealand player batting at eight in a Test match, and did the job expected of him in the context of the match. 

Ireland had elected to bowl first in this ground-breaking encounter but, when it came time for them to bat, the BLACKCAPS took the game away from them at speed.

Nathan Smith's 6/40 led the first-innings demolition, Tickner confined to 1/40 at first change. 

After New Zealand enforced the follow-on, it was Tickner's turn to star as he turned up his wicket-taking aggression. He walked off with his maiden Test five-wicket bag in an innings victory: a new Test career best of 5/76 and the consistent performer also contributed an additional wicket with a runout.

Three Stags had been selected for the Ireland leg of this UK tour, but Will Young was ultimately left to help run the drinks. 

Tickner and Foxcroft had also both been selected for the imminent three-Test series in England, but the subsequent return to match fitness of senior BLACKCAPS spinner Mitch Santner (whose absence Foxcroft was covering) means Foxcroft has now returned home to Hawke's Bay, instead of carrying on for the England Test series.

Tickner is at Lord's with the squad but, with attacking bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke now also back in a strong BLACKCAPS pace squad, it may be his turn to help run the refreshments when the first Test begins.

The big pace bowler said if this were the case, an upside would be the opportunity to fill his boots during the famous Lord's lunches.

Article added: Wednesday 3 June 2026