Wellington's build-up for the new cricket season has received a boost with two games against New South Wales being confirmed.

The Australian side, which is being coached by former Black Caps coach Steve Rixon and which is attempting to climb out of one of its poorest runs of form, will arrive in Wellington on November 20.

It will play a two-day game at the Basin Reserve against the strongest side Wellington can pick and will then play a day-nighter at the WestpacTrust Stadium on the following day.

Wellington executive director Ervin McSweeney said today: "It will be really good preparation for our side to play a team of that strength."

The game is a bid to revive the traditional link between the two associations which has lapsed over recent years.

"We will have a really good programme in our lead-in to Christmas with two more Shell Cup games at the Stadium. Our first Shell Cup game is against Canterbury on December 1 and then on December 15 we play Central Districts there.

"That should see us in good stead for the rest of the programme," he said.

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