Zimbabwe to play Black Caps before World Cup kicks off

The Black Caps will meet Zimbabwe and South Africa in warm-up matches just before next year's Cricket World Cup kicks off.

The ICC has confirmed 14 matches to be played between the 8th and 13th of February next year, ahead of the tournament opener on February the14th.

New Zealand plays Zimbabwe in Lincoln on Monday the 9th of February, and will then meet South Africa at Hagley Oval on Wednesday the 11th, just three days out from their tournament opener against Sri Lanka.

The schedule of warm-up matches is:

Sunday, 8 February -India v Australia (1400), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Monday, 9 February - South Africa v Sri Lanka (1100), Hagley Oval, Christchurch; New Zealand v Zimbabwe (1100), Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch; England v West Indies (1430), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney; Pakistan v Bangladesh (1430), Blacktown ISP, Sydney

Tuesday, 10 February - Ireland v Scotland (1430), Blacktown ISP, Sydney; India v Afghanistan (1400), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

 Wednesday, 11 February - New Zealand v South Africa (1100), Hagley Oval, Christchurch; Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (1100), Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch; Australia v UAE (1430), Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; England v Pakistan (1430), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Thursday, 12 February - West Indies v Scotland (1000), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney;

Ireland v Bangladesh (1000), Blacktown ISP, Sydney

Friday, 13 February - Afghanistan v UAE (1000) Junction Oval, Melbourne