India tour to New Zealand extended

The tour schedule

February 2009

20 India arrive

25 Twenty20 International Christchurch

27 Twenty20 International Wellington

March 2009

03 ODI 1 Napier

06 ODI 2 Wellington

08 ODI 3 Christchurch

11 ODI 4 Hamilton

14 ODI 5 Auckland

18-22 First Test Hamilton

26-30 Second Test Napier

April 2009

03 - 07 Third Test Wellington

An extended schedule for India's tour to New Zealand will include an additional Test and a second Twenty20 match.

The Indian team will arrive on 20 February, with the first tour match being an additional Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25, a BCCI press release said.

The additional test has been allocated at Napier, which will form part of a three-match National Bank Test Series.

The BCCI secretary, N Srinivasan, said he was delighted that the two national bodies had been able to agree on an extended tour.

"My thanks go to New Zealand Cricket for responding so positively to our request for an extended Test series," he said.

"There have been a number of issues for both Boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme.

High quality international competition

"To have such a strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand."

The CEO of New Zealand Cricket, Justin Vaughan, said the opportunity for an extended tour by India was great for the game in New Zealand.

"India is probably the most exciting side in the world at present packed full of superstar players, and the chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans," he said.

"The tour will give our team a great chance to prove themselves against the world's best."

Vaughan said it was unavoidable that some changes have had to be made to previously scheduled match dates and venues.

"We have worked hard to keep as much of the schedule intact - but the result is a tour where more fans will be able to see more games in more places."