Auckland: The Blackcaps announced the ANZ International Series schedule for the next two upcoming summers, combining a massive 98 days of international cricket involving the Blackcaps.
The 2016-17 summer is highlighted by another chapter of the Chappell-Hadlee Series, part of the ANZ International Series, against Australia at the end of January, before the Kiwis take on powerhouse South Africa in all three formats.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will be the first to visit our shores, in an overall schedule comprising seven Test matches (three South Island, four North Island), 11 One Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals over the summer.
Hagley Oval appears the big winner and will kick off the home season by hosting Pakistan in the first test on November 17, and Bangladesh in the Boxing Day ODI. Hamilton's Seddon Park hosts the second Pakistan test on November 25.
The 2017-18 schedule sees Pakistan return and Australia back for more Chappell-Hadlee cricket against the New Zealand, as well as significant tours against the West Indies and England.
Five Tests (three North Island, two South Island), 17 ODIs and 5 T20Is puts it on track to be one of New Zealand's biggest international summers on record.
West Indies will arrive in November for three Tests, five ODIs and one T20I, before a clash in the shorter formats against Pakistan with three T20Is and five ODIs. Australia then arrive for their third straight year of the Chappell-Hadlee rivalry, followed by England for five ODIs and two Tests.
The first Test against England will mark the return of Test cricket to Eden Park, which last saw the five day game in 2014 against India. The plan is for this to be played as a Day/Night Test, pending agreement and approval.
NZ's 2016-17 and 2017-18 home series
2016-17 itinerary
New Zealand v Pakistan
Nov 17-21: 1st Test, Christchurch
Nov 25-29: 2nd Test, Hamilton
New Zealand v Bangladesh
Dec 26: 1st ODI, Christchurch
Dec 29: 2nd ODI, Nelson
Dec 31: 3rd ODI, Nelson
Jan 03: 1st T20I, Napier
Jan 06: 2nd T20I, Mount Maunganui
Jan 08: 3rd T20I, Mount Maunganui
Jan 12-16: 1st Test, Wellington
Jan 20-24: 2nd Test, Christchurch
New Zealand v Australia
Jan 30: 1st ODI, Auckland (D/N)
Feb 02: 2nd ODI, Napier (D/N)
Feb 05: 3rd ODI, Hamilton (D/N)
New Zealand v South Africa
Feb 17: Only T20I, Auckland (Night)
Feb 19: 1st ODI, Hamilton (D/N)
Feb 22: 2nd ODI, Christchurch
Feb 25: 3rd ODI, Wellington (D/N)
Mar 01: 4th ODI, Napier (D/N)
Mar 04: 5th ODI, Auckland (D/N)
Mar 08-12: 1st Test, Dunedin
Mar 16-20: 2nd Test, Wellington
Mar 25-29: 3rd Test, Hamilton
2017-18 fixtures*
New Zealand v West Indies:
3 Tests (Christchurch, Basin Reserve, Hamilton), 5 ODIs (Whangarei, Christchurch x2, Nelson, Mount Maunganui), 1 T20 (Mount Maunganui)
New Zealand v Pakistan:
3 T20s (Auckland, Hamilton, Westpac Stadium), 5 ODIs (Basin Reserve, Nelson, Dunedin, Napier, Mount Maunganui)
New Zealand v Australia:
3 ODIs (Westpac Stadium, Hamilton, Auckland)
New Zealand v England:
1 T20 (Auckland), 5 ODIs (Hamilton, Napier, Westpac Stadium, Dunedin, Christchurch), 2 Tests (Auckland, Christchurch)
*No dates have been specified yet