New Zealand will debut their ninth Test cricket venue and host the sport's three most powerful nations around the country next summer.
The Bay Oval cricket ground in Mt Maunganui. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand Cricket announced their international schedule for the 2019-20 season on Friday.
Along with tours from the England, India and Australia men's teams, the busy programme confirmed Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will host it's maiden Test match.
Other notable features of the home portion of the calendar were ODI and T20 series between the New Zealand women's team and South Africa, another tour by the India A men's side and five games in Auckland, three more than the country's biggest city hosted last summer.
NZC chief executive David White said, outside the two World Cups jointly hosted by New Zealand, he couldn't recall a more significant or substantial home international programme.
"It speaks volumes of the regard in which the Black Caps and White Ferns are held that we can attract such a wealth of talent over the course of one summer.
"We're particularly thrilled for all those involved in securing Bay Oval as New Zealand's ninth Test venue. A lot of people have worked hard for this recognition and I'm sure the venue will continue to go from strength to strength."
Next summer's schedule begins when England arrive in late October, with five T20 games to be followed by two Tests, the first of which will have Mount Maunganui hosting the Black Caps in the longest format for the first time.
The New Zealand men then play a three Test series in Australia, before returning for the arrival of India for 5 T20s, three ODIs and two Tests.
Three of those matches are set to be played at Eden Park, with the second T20 on January 26 subject to resource consent approval from Auckland Council.
Indian cricket fans support their team at Eden Park. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
NZC are optimistic the match will get the green light, particularly with the next day being a public holiday, and White said they were pleased to give the venue more match after a lean period of hosting international cricket.
"We take our hats off to Eden Park.
"They've really come to the party; obtaining resource consents, offering compelling commercial terms and a reduction in match-day costs, and consistently preparing high quality wickets and outfield."
The White Ferns matches against South Africa start on January 25, with all seven to be broadcast live on Sky TV and the five T20s acting as preparation for the White Ferns for the T20 World Cup starting in Australia on February 21.
The first test between the Black Caps and India starts on the same day at the Basin Reserve, with the historic Wellington venue having to rule itself out of hosting the second test against England due to delays in the upgrades being made to the Museum Stand.
The New Zealand men complete their summer by heading back to Australia for the three-match Chappell-Hadlee ODI series, before capping the season by hosting a three-match T20 series against their trans-Tasman rivals.
The first match of that series will be the first T20 international hosted by University Oval in Dunedin, one of eight New Zealand cities to host the Black Caps or White Ferns across the summer.