Windies only option for holiday marquee Tests

New Zealand Cricket's desire to host their own Boxing Day Test and the long-term planning required under international cricket's Future Tours Programme (FTP) have prevented the Black Caps from playing in Australia's marquee summer Tests.

The announcement of a six-Test 2015-16 summer featuring an historic first day-night Test against New Zealand has been well received by fans but left some questioning why they were not scheduled for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Quick Single: Summer Test schedule and venues confirmed

The West Indies will play in Melbourne and Sydney, having started their three-Test series in Hobart, while New Zealand will visit in early November with Tests in Brisbane, Perth and the first ever five-day day-night match in Adelaide.

The Black Caps are now expected to host Pakistan in their own Boxing Day Test, having revived the concept last year when they played Sri Lanka in Christchurch.

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Australia retained the Frank Worrell Trophy in June // Getty Images

The boards of Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies had agreed to the 2015-16 schedule years ago and given the complexities of international cricket's FTP and NZC's own summer plans, there could be no switching of Australia's hosting arrangements.

New Zealand were ranked below the West Indies on their most recent tour of Australia in 2011 and their victory in Hobart during that series was at the time their first against a top-eight nation in more than two years.

Australia recently beat the West Indies 2-0 in the Caribbean, winning the first Test in Dominca inside three days.

Boasting a batting line-up that includes McCullum, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor and a bowling attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the Black Caps have risen to No.3 in the world Test and ODI rankings.

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Black Caps players pose with the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after the Eden Park epic in February // Getty Images

They haven't lost a Test series since their 2-0 loss to England in 2013, having won four and drawn three of their seven series since, including May's 1-1 draw in England.

But New Zealand haven't played Tests against Australia in three-and-a-half years and just four times in one-day internationals since 2010.

The Trans-Tasman rivalry reached a new peak during last summer's World Cup, with the Black Caps thrilling one-wicket victory at Eden Park followed by Australia's victory in the World Cup final at the MCG.

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Starc celebrates McCullum's wicket in the World Cup final // Getty Images

The group stage match was the first time the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy had been contested since the 2011 World Cup. The trophy was not put on the line during the World Cup final and the Black Caps will be desperate to defend their silverware when the series is revived in 2016.

A renewed deal between CA and NZC will see a reinvigoration of the trans-Tasman rivalry with a feast of 10 Tests and eight Chappell-Hadlee Series over the next seven years.

A total of 28 ODIs will be played over that period, NZC said.