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In a huge boost to the home summer of cricket, England 'A' will tour between the West Indies departing in January and India arriving in March.
A spokesman for New Zealand Cricket confirmed the tour but said details were still being mapped out.
However, it seems likely New Zealand 'A' will play at least two tests against their English counterparts and up to five one-dayers. The squad should be strong. The team that played New Zealand at Southampton this year contained six players who had played test cricket, including Matt Prior and Matthew Hoggard.
This series will provide a massive fillip for first-class cricketers trying to push their credentials ahead of the tour by India.
The Indians arrive in early March for a T20 international, five one-dayers and, disappointingly, just two tests, the second of which will be firmly in the lap of the weather gods having been scheduled for Wellington between April 3-7. Dylan Cleaver
