The Black Caps will also face off against Pakistan and Australia in the series. Photo / File
The Black Caps will also face off against Pakistan and Australia in the series. Photo / File
The Black Caps will play two international matches against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui in January.
New Zealand Cricket announced the dates and venues for the ANZ International Series yesterday.
The series will bring the teams to Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval for a one-day game on January 5 and a T20 match on January 7.
Tauranga City Council Mayor Stuart Crosby said he, chief executive Garry Poole, and council strategic events manager Pip Loader had been in dialogue with the New Zealand Cricket Board to bring more matches to town since their last visit in summer.
"It's obviously going to be another great occasion," Mr Crosby said.
"It's tremendous, particularly on the back of South Africa being here last year. I think it bodes well for the future for Bay Oval to have more international games. They will obviously work in with regional championships, with Northern District playing here as well."
Mr Crosby said the news was testament to the investment going into Bay Oval, "particularly from the Bay Oval Trust and the council".
"When South Africa were down here, the feedback we had on a local, national, and international level was amazing."
Television footage of the game was aired in New Zealand and South Africa, with regular 30-second shots of Mount Maunganui and in particular Mauao.
The Black Caps vs South Africa match in Mount Maunganui last year, featuring Trent Boult drew huge crowds. Photo / File
"We will be, even though it's relatively short notice, working with New Zealand Cricket to really promote the games," Mr Crosby said.
"It's incumbent on us as the host city to get in behind these games and ensure they are a success. We are confident that we will be getting more international games in the years ahead."
The Black Caps will also face off against Pakistan and Australia in the series. Over the course of the summer the team will play four ANZ Tests, 11 ANZ ODIs and five ANZ T20s at nine different venues including the Bay Oval.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said the series would be the first time many fans would be able to watch the team in action since the Cricket World Cup.
"On the back of the Cricket World Cup we've taken a regional approach to the allocation of international venues, working closely with local and regional councils, as well as with our major and district associations and venue authorities," he said.
Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust general manager Kelvin Jones could not be reached for comment before this publication went to press.
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