New Zealand Cricket Schedule

Administered by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), New Zealand is one of the top Test-playing nations in the world. New Zealand first gained Full Member status in 1926 from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Since then, New Zealand have gone on to become one of the most consistent teams in the top flight of world cricket.

New Zealand played their first Test against England at Lancaster Park in Christchurch in January 1930. New Zealand’s first Test win came almost 26 years later, against West Indies in Auckland in 1956. New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship by beating India in the final of the event in 2021.

New Zealand then played their first ODI at the same venue in February 1973 while their first T20I was against Australia in Auckland in February 2005.

The New Zealand women’s team has also been one of the most reliable teams in the international circuit. The team won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, played in the United Arab Emirates.

The Plunket Shield is New Zealand’s premier first-class tournament with more than a century of history. The competition was first held in 1906-07 when William Plunket, the then Governor-General of New Zealand, donated a shield.

Six teams participate in the Plunket Shield in a straight round robin phase. The six teams, representing various regions in New Zealand, are Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, Central Districts and Northern Districts.

Twelve points are awarded to the winning team and six points for a tie. Additional batting and bowling bonus points are awarded based on reaching certain milestones. The first batting bonus is given at 200 runs, the second at 250 runs, the third at 300 runs and the fourth at 350 runs. All these milestones need to be achieved within 110 overs.

The Ford Trophy is New Zealand’s top-tier List A competition. The tournament has been sponsored by the Ford Motor Company since 2011. Six teams participate in the tournament in a round robin format followed by preliminary finals and a final.

Up until 1979-80, the tournament was held as a 40-over competition with eight-ball overs but the format changed after that edition to 50 overs consisting of six-ball overs. The first edition of the tournament was held in 1971-72.

The Men’s Super Smash is the premier T20 domestic tournament in New Zealand. The competition has undergone several changes since its inception in 2005-06. The tournament is now played in a double round-robin format followed by an elimination final and a final. The top three teams progress to the playoffs.

Six teams participate in the Super Smash: Auckland Aces, Canterbury Kings, Central Stags, Northern Brave, Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds. Each team is allowed to bring in two international players for each season.

The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield is the top domestic women’s one day tournament in New Zealand. The trophy was presented by Hallyburton Johnstone to Auckland. The first edition of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield was played in 1935-36 as a first-class tournament but has since evolved into a 50-over competition.

Canterbury is by far the most successful team in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield with 39 titles. Six teams participate in the tournament in a double round-robin format.

The Women’s Super Smash is the top T20 domestic women’s tournament in New Zealand, organised and managed by the NZC. The first edition of the Women’s Super Smash was held in 2007-08.

Six teams take part in the annual tournament, which runs alongside the Men’s Super Smash. The format of the competition is a double round-robin followed by a preliminary final and a final, like the Men’s Super Smash.