KEY POINTS:
New Zealand will get two bites at the Australians next summer, with tests in Brisbane and Adelaide before Christmas and a batch of limited-overs cricket in February.
Cricket Australia yesterday released its schedule for the 2008-09 season, which includes visits by New Zealand and South Africa, with the
New Zealanders bookending South Africa's three-test, five-ODI campaign.
New Zealand had been expecting three tests, but have lost one.
The Australians tour India immediately beforehand and their final test in Nagpur does not end until November 9 and the squeeze between that and the start of their three-test rubber against South Africa cut out the chance of a third New Zealand test.
Their tests are at the same venues at which they suffered major defeats in 2004. Of their 24 tests in Australia since 1973, New Zealand have won two - Brisbane and Perth in 1985 - and lost 12. It will be their eighth test in Brisbane and fourth in Adelaide.
The November trip starts with a four-dayer against Pura Cup champions New South Wales in Sydney beginning on November 13.
New Zealand head home for the arrival of the West Indies before Christmas, and return across the Tasman for the start of the Chappell Hadlee series in Perth on February 1. That trip ends with a Twenty20 international at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 15.
CA have done away with their annual tri-series ODI competition to test different waters. Now they have five-game rubbers against two opponents, and the positive aspect from the hosts' perspective is Ricky Ponting's men will appear in every game.
There was a strong belief interest in the tri-series games not involving Australia has been waning in recent seasons. This is the first of two summers in which CA will assess whether the new format sparks more public interest.
When New Zealand finish their England tour they face a busy 10 months.
* In September, they head to Pakistan for three ODIs against the hosts followed by the Champions Trophy.
* October means a trip to Bangladesh for probably two tests and three ODIs.
* New Zealand are in Australia in November.
* From about mid-December into January, New Zealand host the West Indies for either two or three tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international.
* In February it's back to Australia before India arrive at the end of the month for a tour most likely to comprise two or three tests, five ODIs and possibly a Twenty20 match. It is not expected to end until early April.
The West Indies and Indian schedules are being worked through with those respective boards. But one of the curly aspects is in New Zealand's back yard. Several grounds are undergoing redevelopment for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Sorting out their availability is a key issue.
And after all that, several New Zealand players will be packing their bags for the Indian Premier League's second season starting in April.
* Cricket Australia have distanced themselves from Shane Warne's offer yesterday to return from retirement for next year's Ashes series in England. Said CA chief executive James Sutherland: "I've been in cricket long enough not to be surprised of any headlines that Warnie grabs."
* NZ IN AUSTRALIA
Nov 13-16: v New South Wales, Sydney
Nov 20-24: v Australia, first test, Brisbane
Nov 28-Dec 2: v Australia, second test, Adelaide
Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
Feb 1: Perth
Feb 6: Melbourne
Feb 8: Sydney
Feb 10: Adelaide
Feb 13: Brisbane
Twenty20 International
Feb 15: Sydney
