Extra Test,second T20 added to the Ind-NZ tour

The three Tests will be held after the one-dayers get over. The first of the five ODIs will be held in Napier on March 3 and the first Test will be played in Hamilton from March 18-22.

India were originally supposed to play two Tests,five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match but following the BCCI’s request,New Zealand Cricket agreed to accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men for an additional Test which will be hosted by Napier.

According to the new itinerary,India will now reach New Zealand on February 20,eight days earlier than originally scheduled and the tour will culminate on April 7.

Following the first ODI in Napier,the remaining one-dayers will be played in Wellington (March 6),Christchurch (March 8),Hamilton (March 11) and Auckland (March 14).

Napier will host the second Test from March 26 to 30 while the third and final Test of the National Bank Series will be held in Wellington from April 3-7.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan thanked NZC for accepting to its requests for an extended tour after the Indian government refused to clear the team to visit Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.

“My thanks go to New Zealand Cricket for responding so positively to our request for an extended Test series,” Srinivasan said.

“There have been a number of issues for both Boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme.

“To have such a strong mix of Tests,one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams,and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand,” he added.

India’s call for an additional Test had also met with approval from New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and coach Andy Moles,both of whom felt it would be good for the hosts. NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan shared a similar opinion and said the opportunity for an extended tour by India would be great for the game in New Zealand.

“India is probably the most exciting side in the world at present packed full of superstar players,and the chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans,” Vaughan said in a statement released by the BCCI.

“The tour will give our Black Caps team a great chance to prove themselves against the world’s best,” Vaughan said. NZC had to work hard to facilitate the changes but Vaughan said it was worthwhile in the end.

“We have worked hard to keep as much of the schedule intact but the result is a tour where more fans will be able to see more games in more places,” Vaughan said.

The schedule:

February 25: First Twenty20 tie (Christchurch)

February 27: Second Twenty20 tie (Wellington)

March 3: First ODI (Napier)

March 6: Second ODI (Wellington)

March 8: Third ODI (Christchurch)

March 11: Fourth ODI (Hamilton)

March 14: Fifth ODI (Auckland)

March 18-22: First Test (Hamilton)

March 26-30: Second Test (Napier)

April 3-7: Third Test (Wellington)