Wellington: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has received the requisite permissions from the government to host its international cricket later this summer.
NZC announced that the West Indies and Pakistan will tour New Zealand, with details of the schedule to be announced early next week.
''NZC has received Government approval to proceed with plans to host international touring sides this summer, in line with prescribed health protocols and beginning with @windiescricket and @TheRealPCB. Details of the upcoming summer's schedule will be announced early next week'' BlackCaps tweeted on Friday.
NZC CEO David White has expressed his thrill over the government approval, saying that having international cricket back in New Zealand was a big financial boost for the organisation.
"It's a huge boost for us. It's our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game of cricket in New Zealand. It's very important for us," White said.
For teams coming to them this summer, White confirmed that NZC would be footing the bills for their mandatory isolation, with only international flight costs being covered by the visiting teams as is normal protocol for international cricket tours.
The significant costs will mean that having crowds at the stadiums will have an added importance, but White said a lack of crowds won't be a deal-breaker for the tours.
"It would be great to have crowds. But it's not a deal-breaker for us. Hopefully we're at Level 1 and we're having crowds. But if we're at Level 2 we can still proceed," White said.(UNI)