Cricket: What the world test championship will mean to the Black Caps

The Black Caps celebrate their test series win over England. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand can expect to be playing between eight and 10 tests each year when the world test championship kicks off.

That will happen after next year's World Cup and New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White is convinced fans will be delighted with the amount of matches, particularly test cricket, which will come out of the rejigged international format.

Details of New Zealand's schedule for the years 2019-23 are expected to be revealed within the next two weeks, but White, just back from an International Cricket Council meeting in Kolkata, is confident in what will be delivered.

"I think they'll be hugely excited," White said of the possible reaction to what is announced.

"We have a tremendous programme, and it's also going to provide some context so fans can follow a championship for the first time."

What is known is New Zealand's programme for the next 12 months.

They visit the United Arab Emirates in October/early November for three matches in each of the test, ODI and T20 formats against Pakistan.

The incoming tours will be by Sri Lanka - two tests, three ODIs and one T20 - India, for five ODIs and three T20s, and Bangladesh for three tests and three ODIs.

That adds up to 40 days of international cricket in New Zealand next season. By comparison last season would have been 44 days but turned out to be 42 as the West Indies were twice beaten inside four days.

But the breakdown of formats is different. Last season was four tests, 13 ODIs and 11 T20s; next summer will be five tests, 11 ODIs - with World Cup preparation in mind - and just four T20s.

New Zealand will play blocks of tests against three countries both home and away in the two-year first cycle of the new championship arrangement. It was not possible to have a complete set of matches against all other test-playing nations in the two years. Those whom New Zealand don't play in 2019-21 will be among their opponents in the second half of the cycle, 2021-23.

White believes around eight to 10 tests a year is "about right". He pointed out a player who has a 10-year career could play about 80-100 tests.

"We've only every had three people who've played 100 - Dan Vettori (112), Stephen Fleming (111) and Brendon McCullum (101) - so that feels about right."

White said the six opponents will all be different. And he's clear that the concept of test 'series' should be set aside.

"Every test will count towards test points for the championship," he said today.

"It's likely for New Zealand they will be two tests (against opponents). They are not series'. People say if there's not three matches it's not a series, but that's kind of irrelevant now."

However he's adamant there won't be any one-off test matches. Two will be the minimum of any visit or overseas engagement.

With teams needing to qualify for future World Cups, the ODI programme will take on greater significance. The West Indies, two-time winners of the trophy, had to qualify for next years' event. They may not be the last established test nation to have to take that route.

White acknowledged the system worked out isn't absolutely ideal.

"I don't think its perfect, but it is a step in the right direction and will evolve over time."