New Zealand is expecting big crowds when it hosts England in tests in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton in November and December, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink says there are already indications that the three matches against Brendon McCullum's team would attract the same sort of bumper attendances witnessed for the two home tests against Australia in February and March.
"In the past, there's often been a lot of talk in New Zealand about the popularity of test cricket - without that translating into ticket sales or viewership numbers," he said.
"The difference over the past summer, and in terms of the upcoming tests against England, is that the interest is being converted to bums on seats and is driving record viewership numbers."
The first test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval will begin on November 28 with the Basin Reserve in Wellington hosting the second from December 6-10. The series wraps up at Hamilton's Seddon Park from December 14-18.
The three clashes will form part of the World Test Championship, which New Zealand won in its inaugural edition. N
New Zealand are currently third in the rankings with England ninth and last.
Blackcaps v England - Test schedule
First test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch - November 28 to December 2
Second test, Basin Reserve, Wellington - December 6 to 10
Third test, Seddon Park, Hamilton - December 14 to 18
Reuters.
