Tag: New Zealand

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday confirmed venues for the three-match Test series against England, scheduled later this year.

The first two of the three World Test Championship matches will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, from November 28 and at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, from December 6.

The third and final Test will be at Hamilton’s Seddon Park beginning December 14.

There were capacity crowds for the first three days of both of New Zealand’s recent home Tests against Australia and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) hope the five-day games against England will also bring in fans in huge numbers.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“In the past, there’s often been a lot of talk in New Zealand about the popularity of Test cricket – without that translating into ticket sales or viewership numbers,” NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said.

“The difference over the past summer, and in terms of the upcoming Tests against England, is that the interest is being converted to bums on seats and is driving record viewership numbers.

“We’re looking forward to that continuing over the upcoming summer, and to welcoming the England team and their fans to the Tests, and of course all the Kiwi-based supporters as well.”

New Zealand v England schedule

First Test: Nov 28-Dec 2, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Second Test: Dec 6-10, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Third Test: Dec 14-18, Seddon Park, Hamilton

READ: Army Chief Asim Munir hosts Iftar dinner for Pakistan cricket team

New Zealand’s hard-hitting opener Finn Allen termed the upcoming five-match away T20I series against Pakistan an “awesome opportunity” for the young players.

New Zealand’s top players, namely Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, and Kane Williamson were all unavailable for the T20I series against Pakistan due to their participation in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Finn Allen believes that the unavailability of the top players would reward young players like Tim Robinson, who had impressed during the Super Smash tournament in New Zealand.

“It is an awesome opportunity with players being away at the IPL, for young guys such as Tim Robinson, who have shown their talent and had a good Super Smash tournament here in New Zealand during the summer,” Allen told Press Trust of India (PTI).

“It is rewarding for those guys and allows them to get an opportunity at the top level to see where they stand against a formidable Pakistan side,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Finn Allen, fresh from a remarkable century against Pakistan earlier this year at home, acknowledged that it would be a tough challenge to compete against Pakistan in their backyard.

“I guess with the upcoming series, we batted out with them at home not too long ago, but it is on their turf now, and we know from tours in the past that they are pretty tough to beat at home,” Allen said.

“Hopefully, Mark Chapman can pull through for the boys again like last time, but I think it will be a good challenge and a good series,” he added.

New Zealand T20I squad vs Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

READ: Junaid Khan disappointed over New Zealand top players missing Pakistan tour

Former pace bowler Junaid Khan has expressed disappointment over the absence of top New Zealand players in the squad for the tour of Pakistan.

Earlier today, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan under the leadership of allrounder Michael Bracewell.

New Zealand’s first-choice players Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner and Kane Williamson opted out of the tour due to their commitments in the IPL.

Junaid Khan took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to voice concern over players missing out on an international series due to a franchise league.

“It’s sad to see leagues are being prioritised over the team that gave them all the respect. 11/12 senior [New Zealand] players are not available for an international series,” he posted.

It's sad to see leagues are being prioritised over the team that gave them all the respect. 11/12 senior players are not available for an international series.#PAKvNZ #pakistan https://t.co/MlPrSycxNb

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) April 3, 2024

Notably, Bracewell will lead New Zealand for the first time during the upcoming series against Pakistan.

He last played for New Zealand in March last year before suffering a ruptured right Achilles injury during the T20 Blast in June and then a broken finger.

He made his comeback during the Plunket Shield and claimed career-best bowling figures of 8 for 41 while playing for Wellington against Otago.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The squad also features uncapped batter Tim Robinson and fast bowler Will O’Rourke, who represented New Zealand in Test and ODI cricket earlier this season.

The Blackcaps squad will reach Pakistan on 14 April and will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 21 April.

Following that, the action will move to Lahore, where the remaining two T20Is of the series will be played on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

New Zealand T20I squad vs Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

READ: Sri Lanka sweep Bangladesh Test series with crushing win

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan under the leadership of allrounder Michael Bracewell.

“Bracewell, who will skipper the team for the first time, has been side-lined since his most recent international appearance in March last year, firstly with a ruptured Achilles and then with a broken finger,” NZC said in a press release.

“Since recovering he’s made a spectacular return to cricket, claiming his best first-class figures with the ball in his first match back in the Plunket Shield.

Bracewell last played for New Zealand in March last year before suffering a ruptured right Achillies injury during the T20 Blast in June and then a broken finger.

He made his comeback during the Plunket Shield and claimed career-best bowling figures of 8 for 41 while playing for Wellington against Otago.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The squad features uncapped batter Tim Robinson and fast bowler Will O’Rourke, who represented New Zealand in Test and ODI cricket earlier this season.

Colin Munro, Will Young and Tim Southee were unavailable for selection, while some of the first-choice players opted out of the tour due to their commitments in the IPL.

The Blackcaps squad will reach Pakistan on 14 April and will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 21 April.

Following that, the action will move to Lahore, where the remaining two T20Is of the series will be played on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

New Zealand T20I squad vs Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

READ: PSG coach Luis Enrique ‘very happy’ with Mbappe ahead of French Cup semi

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced that 29 players will undergo a fitness camp in Kakul, Abbottabad.

“The camp, organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, is strategically designed to prepare the players for the upcoming series and tournaments, including the home T20I series against New Zealand, the away T20I series against Ireland and England, and the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies,” the PCB said in a press release.

“The camp will focus on team building and aims to enhance the physical and mental strength of the players, ensuring they are in the best condition to face the challenges ahead.

“Under the guidance of experienced trainers and coaches, the players will undergo a comprehensive training regime tailored to elevate their fitness levels, agility, leadership, strategic thinking and overall performance on the field.”

The camp is scheduled to commence on March 26 and will conclude on April 8. The players will report to the camp later today.

Pace bowler Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, are also included in the camp along with top-order batter Usman Khan.

Players taking part in the Physical fitness camp in Kakul are:

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah, Saud Shakeel, Usman Khan, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan Niazi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mehran Mumtaz, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Ali, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Aamir Jamal, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir

READ: Mohammad Amir ‘available’ to represent Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup 2024

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday that it will host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The development came after the newly-appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met the Chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Mr Lawson Naidoo and the Chairman of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Mr Roger Twose on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai.

The agenda of the meeting included the ODI Tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa, to be held in February 2025 in Pakistan, just before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Tri-series was finalised and welcomed by the host and both the member boards.

Chairman PCB also extended an invitation to Mr Roger Twose and Mr Lawson Naidoo to visit Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board last hosted a tri-series in October 2004, where Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were the other two teams in the event.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi: “The Tri-series between Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand will be an exciting event and it is after a long time that Pakistan will host such a tournament. I would like to thank the heads of NZC and CSA for agreeing to participate in the Tri-series. The PCB is also looking forward to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be a great pleasure for Pakistan to host the top eight ODI teams on its soil.”

READ: Quetta Gladiators restrict Islamabad United to 174/9 in PSL 9 Eliminator

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced the schedule of the New Zealand men’s cricket team’s tour for a five-match T20I series, commencing on 18 April.

The Blackcaps will arrive in the capital city on 14 April and will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 21 April.

Following that, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

All five matches of the T20I series will begin at 7 pm PKT. Ticket prices for the series will be set at affordable rates for the fans to watch their favourite players in action.

The coming tour of the Blackcaps will mark their third visit to Pakistan in the span of 17 months.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Previously, they had travelled to Pakistan in December 2022/January 2023 to feature in two Tests and three ODIs – part of the ICC Men’s Championship.

Later that year in April, they travelled to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi to feature in 10 white-ball matches.

“In a testament to the unwavering camaraderie between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), we are delighted to present the schedule for the New Zealand men’s team tour to Pakistan 2024,” said Usman Wahla, Director – International Cricket.

“This tour symbolises the deep-rooted ties and mutual respect that define the relationship between our two cricketing nations.

“Our avid cricket fans and the people of Pakistan will welcome the New Zealand team again and we hope to have yet another competitive series which is a key part of our buildup to this year’s ICC T20 World Cup.”

Series schedule

14 April – New Zealand arrive in Pakistan

16-17 April – Training/practice

18 April – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

20 April – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

21 April – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

25 April – 4th T20I, Lahore

27 April – 5th T20I, Lahore

READ: Multan Sultans crush Quetta Gladiators to set Qualifier clash with Peshawar Zalmi

CHRISTCHURCH: An unbeaten 98 from Alex Carey dragged Australia to victory over New Zealand by three wickets in a thrilling second Test on Monday to give the tourists a 2-0 sweep of the two-match series.

Carey and Mitchell Marsh have struggled for form but their formidable 140-run partnership rescued Australia at the Hagley Oval.

New Zealand’s wait for a first home Test victory over their neighbours in more than three decades goes on.

Carey and Marsh produced a vital partnership when the tourists had their backs to the wall at 80-5 in their chase of 279.

At 220-5, a nail-biting Test took another turn on Monday afternoon when Black Caps seamer Ben Sears claimed Marsh and Mitchell Starc in successive deliveries.

It left Australia needing a further 59 runs with three wickets remaining.

Skipper Cummins joined Carey to bring the tourists home.

“I kept to a really solid game plan and read the conditions and read the bowlers,” Carey said.

“I guess losing one wicket this morning was okay. We got through to lunch and then that’s when the game opened up a little bit and the partnership started to flow.”

The series sweep earned Australia valuable points in the World Test Championship standings.

New Zealand were left deflated after starting the fourth day with high hopes of a first home Test victory over Australia in 31 years.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

When Australia resumed the day at 77-4, after a one-hour delay because of rain, Marsh was dropped on 28 by Rachin Ravindra in the second over. Travis Head was out on the next ball from Southee.

New Zealand were buoyant, aware that Marsh and Carey were struggling for form, with Marsh coming off back-to-back ducks.

Carey had compiled just 27 from his three previous innings in the series.

The Australian pair found their touch when it mattered most.

Rather than be cautious, they went on the attack at more than five an over in the morning session as batting conditions became easier with the ageing ball.

The breakthrough New Zealand desperately sought came after lunch when debutant Sears took his double.

Marsh, who made 80 off 102 deliveries, went lbw and Starc followed first ball, caught at square leg by Will Young.

The hat-trick ball however was wide of the mark and the new batsman Cummins edged it for four.

Carey had an anxious moment when given out lbw to Matt Henry on 19 but on review, the ball tracker placed the ball outside leg stump.

He gave few other chances in a 123-ball innings which included 15 boundaries.

For New Zealand, Sears took 4-90 while Henry’s 2-94 gave him nine wickets for the Test.

READ: Quetta Gladiators edge Lahore Qalandars in a last-ball thriller to reach PSL 9 Playoffs

CHRISTCHURCH: A timely return to form by New Zealand opener Tom Latham hauled the Black Caps back into the second Test against Australia on Saturday as they overhauled a 94-run deficit to lead by 40 at the stumps. 

Latham, dropped by Alex Carey on 59, was unbeaten on 65 in New Zealand’s second innings at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval exactly a year after his last half-century against Sri Lanka at the same ground.

Following the early dismissal of Will Young for one, Latham and Kane Williamson put on a partnership of 105 for the second wicket.

Williamson, celebrating his 100th Test, reached his half-century with a single off Mitchell Starc, but faced only two more balls before he edged a Pat Cummins delivery onto his middle stump.

At the close, New Zealand were 134 for two with Rachin Ravindra not out 11 alongside Latham.

Australia were all out midway through the day with Marnus Labuschagne’s masterful 90 laying the foundation for their first innings 256 in reply to New Zealand’s 162.

With the pitch becoming more benign than it was when 21 wickets fell in the first five sessions, Latham and Williamson produced a morale-boosting century stand for New Zealand, who had struggled against Australia’s intimidating attack.

Australia have also had their batting issues, but Labuschagne found some form after a string of single-digit performances to anchor their innings.

Their second-highest scorer was paceman Mitchell Starc with 28 and behind Cameron Green’s 25 was 23 from Pat Cummins.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Cummins’s innings included some big blows, including three fours and a six off successive deliveries from Ben Sears.

The chief destroyer for New Zealand was Matt Henry, relishing the responsibility of taking the new ball with Trent Boult out of the picture and being rewarded with 7-67. Henry has taken 15 wickets so far in the series.

Australia resumed the day at 124-4. Labuschagne had an early issue with the umpires for standing too far out of his crease and potentially scuffing the wicket in the spinners’ target area.

As he neared his century, New Zealand keeper Tom Blundell stood up to the wickets for pace bowler Tim Southee, tempting Labuschagne to hit out.

The ploy worked, as the Australian steered the ball to the gully, where Glenn Phillips made an acrobatic catch.

Henry bagged nightwatchman Nathan Lyon for 20, caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell, who had dropped him off Tim Southee at the start of the day.

Mitchell Marsh, who is also struggling for runs, was trapped leg before by Henry without scoring for his second consecutive duck, facing just four balls.

Part-time bowler Phillips removed Alex Carey (14) when he paddled a simple catch to Tom Latham at mid-wicket, leaving Henry to mop up the tail.

READ: James Anderson becomes third bowler to take 700 Test wickets

CHRISTCHURCH: A five-wicket haul by paceman Josh Hazlewood ensured Australia finished Friday with the upper hand against New Zealand on a wicket-laden opening day of the second Test at Hagley Oval.

Fourteen wickets fell as Australia reached 124 for four at stumps after the Hazlewood-inspired pace attack rolled New Zealand for 162 in two sessions.

Hazlewood, who took 5-31, put his success down to the conditions as the pitch quickened during the day.

“There was a bit of nip there, a little bit of swing so plenty for the quicks during the day. Fourteen wickets in a day so it’s obviously doing enough,” he said.

New Zealand’s chief wicket-taker Matt Henry called Hazlewood’s performance “world-class” and a “blueprint for how we wanted to bowl as well”.

Henry dismissed Usman Khawaja for 16, bowled Cameron Green for 25 and had Travis Head caught behind for 21 to finish the day with figures of 3-39.

New Zealand debutant Ben Sears, whose first delivery was whipped to the boundary by Steve Smith, claimed his first Test wicket two balls later when he had the Australian opener trapped in front for 11.

At stumps, Marnus Labuschagne was unbeaten on 45, including eight fours, with night-watchman Nathan Lyon on one. Australia trail by 38 runs.

Australia, looking to sweep the two-Test series, won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat on a green-tinged wicket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

After being kept at bay by Tom Latham and Will Young for the first 90 minutes, Australia picked up wickets at regular intervals.

Hazlewood produced a masterly display of seam bowling while Mitchell Starc took 3-59.

It moved Starc up to fourth on the all-time Australian wicket-takers list with 357, overtaking Dennis Lillee, who ended his stellar career with 355.

New Zealand lost eight wickets for 60 runs before the Australian onslaught was frustrated by a ninth-wicket partnership of 55 by Henry and Tim Southee in his 100th Test.

After Starc accounted for Young, Hazlewood bowled a precise line and length to claim the next four wickets including New Zealand talisman Kane Williamson, who was trapped in front for 17.

Williamson, who received a standing ovation as he arrived at the crease for his milestone 100th Test, sought a review but he knew it was a lost cause and started to walk before the three red lights were shown.

Hazlewood also accounted for Latham (38) and Daryl Mitchell (four), both caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey as well as Rachin Ravindra caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip.

The impressive Carey took five catches including Tom Blundell (22) off Cameron Green and Glenn Phillips (two) off Starc, who then dismissed Scott Kuggeleijn lbw with his next delivery.

Hazlewood was also in on the action when he caught Southee (26) to give Cummins a wicket, then finished the innings in the next over when he had Henry (29) caught behind.

READ: Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza defends captain Shan Masood’s on-field aggression