New Zealand hosts Bangladesh and England for the National Bank Series

New Zealand Cricket will host Bangladesh for two Tests, and England for five One Day Internationals and three Tests in The National Bank Series this summer.

The first Bangladesh Test match will be played at WestpacTrust Park Hamilton 18-22 December and the Boxing Day Test will be played at the traditional venue of the Basin Reserve.

Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, Martin Snedden, said Bangladesh is an improving team on the international stage.

"As the newest Test nation Bangladesh have a steep learning curve to negotiate however they have not been embarrassed in the three Tests they have played to date and have shown signs of genuine competitiveness. It will be important for the CLEAR Black Caps to win both Tests comprehensively and to gain valuable points in the World Test Championship rankings."

The England One Day Internationals will be played at Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Auckland and Dunedin (in that order).

The England Tests will be played at Jade Stadium Christchurch, Basin Reserve Wellington and Eden Park Auckland (in that order).

Snedden said: "England is arguably the most popular side to tour New Zealand. The team is always accompanied by a large contingent of colourful and vocal supporters in the Barmy Army, and the matches will be closely contested.

"The most recent clash between the two teams was in England in 1999, when the CLEAR Black Caps had a famous victory winning the Test series 2-1. Historic first wins were achieved at Lord's and The Oval, and it was only the second time that New Zealand had won a series in England.

"When England last toured New Zealand in 1997 they took the Test series 2-0 and the One-Day series was shared with each team winning two matches and a dramatic tie (in the third match of the series at Napier).

"Both teams will expect to win, ensuring a fascinating encounter," Snedden said.

Snedden said the subject of international match allocation was deliberated at length by the Board of New Zealand Cricket at its meeting on Tuesday.

"There are three Tests against England this summer and five international-class venues vying for them. It is inevitable that there will be disappointment with the decision in some quarters and this is the case.

"The decision to allocate the three England Tests to Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland was primarily influenced by the desire for a geographical spread which would provide as many New Zealanders as possible the opportunity to experience Test cricket firsthand.

"The Board also considered the allocation of Test matches over the past few years. In the past three years Wellington has had five Tests, Hamilton four, Auckland three, Christchurch two and Dunedin one.

"Other factors taken into account by the Board were pitch and playing surface quality; results achieved and player preference; financial returns; spectator, hospitality and media facilities; and accommodation requirements for tour groups, media, teams and officials," Snedden said.

NATIONAL BANK SERIES 2001/2002
BANGLADESH TO NEW ZEALAND 2001 TOUR ITINERARY

DECEMBER

Fri 07 - Sun 09 v District Association Team at Victoria Park, Wanganui
Wed 12 - Sat 15 v Auckland at Eden Park No.2, Auckland
Tues 18 - Sat 22 v CLEAR Black Caps 1st Test at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton
Wed 26 - Sun 30 v CLEAR Black Caps 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington

NATIONAL BANK SERIES 2001/2002
ENGLAND TO NEW ZEALAND

FEBRUARY 2002
Friday 08 v Northern Districts at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton (D/N)
Sunday 10 v Northern Districts at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton
Wednesday 13 v CLEAR Black Caps 1st ODI at Jade Stadium, Christchurch (D/N)
Thursday 14 Reserve Day
Saturday 16 v CLEAR Black Caps 2nd ODI at WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington
Sunday 17 Reserve Day
Wednesday 20 v CLEAR Black Caps 3rd ODI at McLean Park, Napier (D/N)
Thursday 21 Reserve Day
Saturday 23 v CLEAR Black Caps 4th ODI at Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday 24 Reserve Day
Tuesday 26 v CLEAR Black Caps 5th ODI at Carisbrook, Dunedin (D/N)
Wednesday 27 Reserve Day

MARCH
Sat 02 - Mon 04 v Otago at Carisbrook, Dunedin
Thur 07 - Sat 09 v Canterbury at Christchurch
Wed 13 - Sun 17 v CLEAR Black Caps 1st Test at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Thurs 21 - Mon 25 v CLEAR Black Caps 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Sat 30 - Wed. 03 v CLEAR Black Caps 3rd Test at Eden Park, Auckland