Cricket: Tight squeeze for Chappell-Hadlee next season

The next Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series could be staged in New Zealand again after Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed its 2006/07 schedule yesterday.

The schedule shows New Zealand joining England and the hosts for the month-long VB triangular series.

New Zealand last contested the VB series in 2001/02 season.

However the dates for next season's Chappell-Hadlee series are yet to be confirmed, but it appears it will be played in New Zealand.

Australia have a congested schedule with five Ashes tests against England running from late November to early January, followed by the VB series.

CA chief executive James Sutherland told The Press Australia would travel back to New Zealand after the VB series which could allow them to play the three-match series.

It would appear to be a tight squeeze, with the Black Caps set to host India in February as well, before the World Cup in the West Indies in March.

2007 VB triangular one-day series schedule
(Australia, England, New Zealand):

Jan 12 Australia v England, Melbourne
Jan 14 Australia v New Zealand, Hobart
Jan 16 England v New Zealand, Hobart
Jan 19 Australia v England, Brisbane
Jan 21 Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
Jan 23 England v New Zealand, Adelaide
Jan 26 Australia v England, Adelaide
Jan 28 Australia v New Zealand, Perth
Jan 30 England v New Zealand, Perth
Feb 2 Australia v England, Sydney
Feb 4 Australia v New Zealand, Melbourne
Feb 6 England v New Zealand, Brisbane
Feb 9 First one-day final, Melbourne
Feb 11 Second one-day final, Sydney
Feb 13 Third one-day final (if needed), Brisbane

- NZPA