WELLINGTON - New Zealand Cricket will ask Australia to expand the itinerary of its November and December tour in Australia to compensate for the cancellation of a tour to Pakistan.

The cancellation for security reasons of the New Zealand-Pakistan one day series this month and test series in October has left New Zealand without match play before the Australian tour begins.

New Zealand Cricket will ask Australia to add at least two four day state games to their agreed itinerary to give players some match play before the first test from Nov. 8-12.

New Zealand recalled its team from Singapore, en route to Pakistan, in response to the terrorist attacks in the United States on Tuesday. The New Zealand A team also returned home early from a tour to India.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said he would approach Australian authorities on Monday with a proposal for an enlarged tour.

Snedden said there was still a faint hope a tour to Pakistan might take place in some form next month, if the world security situation stabilised but he doubted such a change could occur in the time available.

"We might yet go to Pakistan but it does seem highly unlikely," he said. "I don't see much merit in a truncated tour but we will be keeping our options open."

© 2001 AAP