Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, in that order, will host the three Test matches with England during New Zealand Cricket's international summer in March.

Pressure has been going on Auckland especially in recent years because of problems attracting crowds but the prospect of England continuing to be the biggest drawcard of all countries touring New Zealand has seen NZC decide to give the final Test to Auckland.

Problems with the portable pitch at Eden Park for the first Test match against Pakistan earlier this year did not help New Zealand's cause. Drainage problems in the tray holding the pitch came into play and New Zealand suffered an embarrassing last morning collapse to lose the Test.

With the second Test played on a benign portable pitch at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, it took New Zealand to inflict a record Test loss on Pakistan in Hamilton for the home side in Hamilton to come from behind to draw the series.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming rated Hamilton the best pitch in the country and the most appropriate for New Zealand's Test match playing resources.

Christchurch has both a Test and a three-day match against England. The Test will celebrate the new facilities and grandstand at Jade Stadium while the three-day match will celebrate Canterbury's 125th season in existence.

While Hamilton has missed out on an England Test it will host New Zealand's first Test with Bangladesh from December 18-22.

The Bangladeshis will have two warm-up games, a three-dayer against Central Districts in Wanganui from December 7-9 and a four-dayer Auckland from 12-15 at Eden Park No 2.

The second Test will be the annual Boxing Day Test at the Basin Reserve.

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said: "As the newest Test nation Bangladesh have a steep learning curve to negotiate, however, they have not been embarrassed in the three Tests they have played to date and have shown signs of genuine competitiveness.

"It will be important for the CLEAR Black Caps to win both Tests comprehensively and to gain valuable points in the World Test Championship rankings."

He said the subject of international match allocation was deliberated at length by the Board of New Zealand Cricket at its meeting on Tuesday.

"There are three Tests against England this summer and five international-class venues vying for them. It is inevitable that there will be disappointment with the decision in some quarters and this is the case.

"The decision to allocate the three England Tests to Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland was primarily influenced by the desire for a geographical spread which would provide as many New Zealanders as possible the opportunity to experience Test cricket firsthand," Snedden said. "The Board also considered the allocation of Test matches over the past few years. In the past three years Wellington has had five Tests, Hamilton four, Auckland three, Christchurch two and Dunedin one.

"Other factors taken into account by the Board were pitch and playing surface quality; results achieved and player preference; financial returns; spectator, hospitality and media facilities; and accommodation requirements for tour groups, media, teams and officials," Snedden said.

The fact that England won the last series it played in New Zealand 2-0, and that New Zealand had responded by taking a 2-1 series win in the last series in England, in 1999, and recorded its first wins at Lord's and the Oval, set the scene for a great series in New Zealand, he said.

"England is arguably the most popular side to tour New Zealand. The team is always accompanied by a large contingent of colourful and vocal supporters in the Barmy Army, and the matches will be closely contested," Snedden said.

"Both teams will expect to win, ensuring a fascinating encounter," Snedden said.

The full international programme is:

Bangladesh: December 7-9 v District Association team, Victoria Park, Wanganui; 12-15 v Auckland, Eden Park No 2, Auckland; 18-22 v New Zealand at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton; 26-30 v New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.

England:

February - 8 v Northern Districts, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton; February 10 v Northern Districts, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton; 13 v New Zealand, Jade Stadium, Christchurch (d/n); 16 v New Zealand, WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington; 20 v New Zealand, McLean Park, Napier (d/n); 23 v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland; 26 v New Zealand, Carisbrook, Dunedin (d/n). (All One-Day Internationals have a reserve day).

March - 2-4 v Otago, Carisbrook, Dunedin; 7-9 v Canterbury, Christchurch; 13-17 v New Zealand, Jade Stadium, Christchurch; 21-25 v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington; 30-April 3 v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd