India's itinerary for NZ tour announced

India will play two Tests and seven one day internationals on an 11-match tour of New Zealand at the end of the year, New Zealand Cricket said on Tuesday.

India will arrive in early December and play two warm-up matches, including a three day game against the Central Districts provincial team, before the first Test in Wellington starting on December 12.

The second Test will be played in Hamilton on December 19.

The one-day international (ODI) series of seven matches will start on December 26 and includes five day-night games.

"Both teams feel that, with the World Cup so close, an extended one-day series will be beneficial to their preparation," NZ Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said.

The tour will see the first ever one day international match played at the scenic tourist town of Queenstown in the South Island.

The full itinerary:

December 4 - Festival game vs Max Blacks
December 6-8 - Three day game vs Central Districts, Napier.
December 12-16 - First Test, Wellington.
December 19-23 - Second Test, Hamilton.
December 26 - ODI, Auckland (day/night)
December 29 - ODI, Napier
January 1 - ODI, Christchurch (day/night)
January 4 - ODI, Queenstown
January 8 - ODI, Wellington (day/night)
January 11 - ODI, Auckland (day/night)
January 14 - ODI, Hamilton (day/night)

Mail Cricket Editor