Summer of cricket at Basin – next year

The Black Caps could play more matches in Wellington next summer with capital cricket fans compensated for not being able to see the team play live this season.

Wellington was the big loser yesterday as New Zealand Cricket streamlined its home international schedules for the Black Caps and White Ferns to mitigate the risk of an Omicron outbreak ruining fixtures.

For the first time since the 1995-96 season, Wellington’s Basin Reserve won’t host a Black Caps test during a home summer.

The South African men’s side will remain in Christchurch for the entire duration of its visit, playing both its scheduled tests at Hagley Oval, starting on February 17, rather than decamping to Wellington for the second match.

NZC chief executive David White confirmed South Africa had been granted a preliminary exemption to train at the sporting managed isolation facility at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

Wellington cricket fans were hit hard by the announcement. The two T20Is against Australia (subject to MIQ availability) in March, originally planned for Sky Stadium, were moved to Napier’s McLean Park – which will stage all three matches.

Other alterations will see the White Ferns short-form series against India (one T20 and five ODIs) played solely at John Davies Oval in Queenstown.

The Netherlands men’s tour will be split between Mount Maunganui (one T20 and one ODI) and Hamilton (two ODIs). Dunedin’s University Oval was supposed to have hosted an ODI against the Netherlands, but have missed out.

White said the venue changes were one part of a contingency plan designed to safeguard the health of all participants, and to reduce the chance of matches or series being jeopardised by an outbreak.

He felt for Wellington cricket fans, who wouldn’t have the Black Caps in the city this summer, but said they were set to be rewarded with more matches next season.

‘‘Absolutely. We’ve got a fantastic summer next year. India is coming for three ODIs, three T20s. We’ve got two test matches against Sri Lanka and a full suite of shortform cricket, plus we’ve got two England test matches and I know they’re going to be very attractive [for host venues],’’ White said.

‘‘The Basin is one of our premier cricket grounds in New Zealand. Of course, we’re hopeful of having a big test match there next year.’’

White was gutted for fans in Wellington, Dunedin, and Nelson, who won’t see the White Ferns play India there, but said crowds would have been minimal, or possibly not at all.

The intent was to play all matches on the dates, and at the times, previously scheduled, and try to allow venues to accommodate multiple ‘‘pods’’, each of no more than 100 spectators – in accordance with government guidelines.

Having reduced crowds over the rest of the summer for the Black Caps and White Ferns would have a financial impact for NZC. With matches still able to go ahead it did soften the blow as it would allow them to fulfil broadcasting and sponsorship commitments.

‘‘We will be taking a hit on the gates, but it’s not quite significant as the hit we would have for other commercial areas of the business,’’ White said.

Patrons who had purchased tickets for games no longer being played at the advertised venues would receive full refunds.