KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Cricket and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have announced an extended schedule for India's tour to New Zealand, which will now include an additional test and a second Twenty20 International.
Napier has been allocated the additional test from March 26 to 30, which will form part of a three-match series.
The Indian team are due to arrive on February 20, eight days earlier than originally scheduled, with the first tour match being an additional Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25.
The five one-day internationals will all be played either five or six days earlier than scheduled, with some venue switches having taken place.
Napier will still host the first one-day match, on March 3, but Wellington will now host the second game, swapping the fourth game with Hamilton. Likewise, Christchurch will host the third game, with Auckland shifting to the fifth game on March 14.
The first test in Hamilton will start eight days early on March 18.
The only match that remains unchanged from the original schedule is the third test in Wellington from April 3-7.
NZC chief executive 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 Black Caps 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 as possible intact. The result is a tour where more fans will be able to see more games in more places."
N. Srinivasan, honorary secretary of the BCCI, 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 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.
"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."
Tickets for rescheduled games will remain valid for the new dates.
* India schedule
Feb 25: First Twenty20 international, Christchurch
Feb 27: Second Twenty20 international. Wellington
March 3: First one-day international, Napier
March 6: Second one-day international, Wellington
March 8: Third one-day international, Christchurch
March 11: Fourth one-day international, Hamilton
March 14: Fifth one-day international, Auckland
March 18-22: First test, Hamilton
March 26-30: Second test, Napier
April 3-7: Third test, Wellington
- NZPA
