Wellington awarded England Test match

Hagley Oval, the Cello Basin Reserve, and Seddon Park will host the Blackcaps’ three ICC World Championship Tests against England at the end of this year.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Ben Duckett of England during a test match.

Following what has been described as an extremely competitive venue allocation process, the Tests have been scheduled to be played in Christchurch from 28 November to 2 December, in Wellington from 6 to 10 December, and in Hamilton from 14 to 18 December.

Strong demand for details from domestic and international fans prompted New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to expedite decisions over the England Tests, with the remainder of the 2024-25 Home International Schedule to be announced later in the year.

The Australia and Sri Lanka women’s teams, and the Sri Lanka and Pakistan men’s teams will also be touring next summer.

Interest in the England Test series follows sell-out crowds on seven of the eight days of the two Tests played against Australia earlier this year, as well as massive TVNZ audiences.

WellingtonNZ’s general manager of Events and Experiences Heidi Morton says Wellington and the Basin Reserve are synonymous with Test cricket and hosting large contingents of sports fans. “We are thrilled the England team will play their second Test of this series in the city."

“We saw a sold-out Basin when the Australian men’s team played a Test here earlier this year and are confident fans of the game will be back to do the same in December.  This will also be a fantastic boost for our hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors. We look forward to welcoming the English team and their Barmy Army supporters and showing them everything the region has to offer.”

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink described the growing interest in the Test format in New Zealand as “exciting”.

“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,” he says.

“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.”

Information about tickets for the NZC International Home Summer will be released in due course, with tour group bookings for organisations such as NZC Tours, and the Barmy Army to be facilitated.

Date published: 8 April 2024

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