WELLINGTON: New Zealand on Friday unveiled plans to host a day-night Test against England as part of a packed home international schedule for the next two seasons.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said the fixture, to be played under lights with a pink ball, would take place at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2018 ‘pending agreement and approval’. “While we can’t confirm it yet, it’s something we’re extremely interested in and working towards,” NZC chief executive David White said.

Auckland has not hosted a Test since a game with India in 2014.

NZC did not specify when the proposed pink-ball Test would take place but the ICC’s Future Tours Programme has England’s tour of New Zealand scheduled for February-April 2018.

New Zealand had hoped to play their first at home early next year against South Africa but the idea was abandoned due to logistical problems.

Cricket South Africa are also mulling a pink ball Test with Australia in Adelaide later this year but the Proteas’ players have expressed their reticence.

Australia and New Zealand played the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide last year, attracting huge crowds to rival those at limited-overs versions of the game.

But players from both sides complained about the visibility and movement of the pink ball, while some conservatives claimed it undermined a Test tradition dating back to 1877.

Former England captain Andrew Strauss joined England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves in backing the concept this month, saying it was a matter of time before such a match was played in the sport’s birthplace.

White argued earlier this month that dwindling crowds meant the five-day game could not survive without day-nighters.

The format pushes playing times back into prime-time television viewing hours and allows spectators to attend after finishing work or school.

Under the NZC schedule announced on Friday, New Zealand in 2016-17 will host Pakistan (two Tests), Bangladesh (three one-dayers, three T20s, two Tests), Australia (three ODIs) and South Africa (one T20, five ODIs, three Tests).

In 2017-18, they will host the West Indies (three Tests, five ODIs, one T20), Pakistan (three T20s, five ODIs), Australia (three ODIs) and England (one T20, five ODIs, two Tests).

“The last couple of years has seen a significant rise in interest in cricket and I think the schedule we’ve locked in will help that interest continue to grow,” White said.

New Zealand’s 2016-17 schedule:

Nov 17-21: First Test vs Pakistan (Christchurch).

Nov 25-29: Second Test vs Pakistan (Hamilton).

Dec 26: First ODI vs Bangladesh Christchurch).

Dec 29: Second ODI vs Bangladesh (Nelson).

Dec 31: Third ODI vs Bangladesh (Nelson).

Jan 3: First T20 vs Bangladesh (Napier, D/N).

Jan 6: Second T20 vs Bangladesh (Mount Maunganui, D/N).

Jan 8: Third T20 vs Bangladesh (Mount Maunganui, D/N).

Jan 12-16: First Test vs Bangladesh (Basin Reserve, Wellington).

Jan 20-24: Second Test vs Bangladesh (Christchurch).

Jan 30: First ODI vs Australia (Auckland, D/N).

Feb 2: Second ODI vs Australia (Napier, D/N).

Feb 5: Third ODI vs Australia (Hamilton, D/N).

Feb 17: Only T20 vs South Africa (Auckland, D/N).

Feb 19: First ODI vs South Africa (Hamilton, D/N).

Feb 22: Second ODI vs South Africa (Christchurch).

Feb 25: Third ODI vs South Africa (Westpac Stadium, Wellington, D/N).

March 1: Fourth ODI vs South Africa (Napier, D/N).

March 4: Fifth ODI vs South Africa (Auckland, D/N).

March 8-12: First Test vs South Africa (Dunedin).

March 16-20: Second Test vs South Africa (Basin Reserve, Wellington).

March 25-29: Third Test vs South Africa (Hamilton).

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...