Tag Futebol

The women’s team will take on Pakistan in December 2023 and England in March and April next year

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2023New Zealand will host Australia for a Test series for the first time in eight years in the upcoming summer, right after attempting to secure a maiden Test series victory against South Africa, according to the fixtures released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the 2023-24 home season.The New Zealand men’s team begin their home season with three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh in the last two weeks of December. They then have a 11-day break before hosting Pakistan for five T20Is from January 12 to 21.South Africa then visit for two Tests between February 4 and 17, followed by Australia, who tour for three T20Is and two Tests between February 21 and March 12.Related

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New Zealand women also host Pakistan for three T20Is and three ODIs between December 3 and 18, and then take on England in five T20Is and three ODIs between March 19 and April 7. The England women’s A team will also tour New Zealand at the time.This will be the first international summer in 24 years to be screened live free-to-air on TVNZ.NZC said its schedule includes ten double-headers (two games back-to-back at the same venue) as it attempts “to address both the needs of different audiences and enhance the efficiency of its playing programme in an era of climate change awareness.”NZC chief executive David White said: “In terms of venues with lights, we’ve been able to schedule several back-to-back night matches and day matches to ensure good opportunities for both families and adult patrons, respectively, which we think is good for the game.”It’s a strategy that also complements our need to prioritise energy efficiency – and to just do the right thing as a sports organisation, given the challenges we’re facing from climate change these days.”

New Zealand men’s fixtures

vs Bangladesh
1st ODI: December 17, Dunedin2nd ODI: December 20, Nelson3rd ODI: December 23, Napier1st T20I: December 27, Napier2nd T20I: December 29, Tauranga3rd T20I: December 31, Taurangavs Pakistan
1st T20I: January 12, Auckland2nd T20I, January 14, Hamilton3rd T20I, January 17, Dunedin4th T20I, January 19, Christchurch5th T20I, January 21, Christchurchvs South Africa
1st Test: February 4 to 8, Tauranga2nd Test: February 13-17, Hamiltonvs Australia
1st T20I: February 21, Wellington2nd T20I: February 23, Auckland3rd T20I: February 25, Auckland1st Test: February 29-March 4, Wellington2nd Test: March 8-12, Christchurch

New Zealand women’s fixtures

vs Pakistan1st T20I: December 3, Dunedin2nd T20I: December 5, Dunedin3rd T20I: December 9, Queenstown1st ODI: December 12, Queenstown2nd ODI: December 15, Christchurch3rd ODI: December 18, Christchurchvs England1st T20I: March 19, Dunedin2nd T20I: March 22, Nelson3rd T20I: March 24, Nelson4th T20I: March 27, Wellington5th T20I: March 29, Wellington1st ODI: April 1, Wellington2nd ODI: April 4, Hamilton3rd ODI: April 7, Hamilton

Chelsea are now seriously keen on signing a “sensational” player, who was recently on the verge of signing for Sunderland, according to reports.

Blues eyeing new signings amid Club World Cup campaign

The Blues have been faring well in the new-look Club World Cup, progressing out the group before most recently dispatching of Benfica 4-1 in the round of 16, setting up a very winnable quarter-final clash against Palmeiras.

However, manager Enzo Maresca was less than impressed by the two-hour break which interrupted play, saying: “I think it’s a joke to be honest, it’s not football. It’s not for us.

“You cannot be inside. I struggle to understand. I can understand that for security reasons, you suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably [this] is not the right place to do this competition.”

Fabrizio Romano: Star now set to sign new deal instead of joining Chelsea

Enzo Maresca won’t be signing him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

Despite being out in the USA for the Club World Cup, the west Londoners remain active in the transfer market, with widespread reports suggesting deals for Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro are edging closer to completion.

Having already signed Liam Delap, it is clear Maresca is very keen to bolster his attacking options this summer, but the manager is also looking to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch, according to a report from Caught Offside.

The report states that Chelsea now hold a serious interest in OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, who is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League, with it being revealed he was on the verge of signing for Sunderland just days ago.

Manchester United, Leeds United and Aston Villa are also in the race for Bulka, who is set to be available for the affordable price of just €20m – €25m (£17m – £21m), so there could be fierce competition for his signature.

The Blues’ interest comes amid doubts over Robert Sanchez, with the Spaniard failing to convince Maresca he should be the first-choice option between the sticks moving forward.

"Sensational" Bulka could be solution to Chelsea's problems

Maresca clearly wasn’t impressed by both Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen at times last season, with the goalkeepers being used interchangeably, and there are signs the Nice goalkeeper could be the answer to the manager’s problem.

Once lauded as “absolutely sensational” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Pole caught the eye in Ligue 1 on a number of occasions, being voted as Player of the Month after impressing in September 2023.

More recently, the 25-year-old proved himself against European champions Paris-Saint Germain, making nine saves from inside the box to keep the Ligue 1 title-winners at bay and help his side secure a 3-1 victory.

Bulka could be a bargain signing for Chelsea at just £17m – £21m, and they should move swiftly to ensure they win the race for his signature.