Image courtesy of: 3news.co.nz

New Zealand and the West Indies will play an ODI in Nelson on January 4

The New Zealand city of Nelson will host its first ever men’s ODI when the West Indies tour the country in December to January for three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.

The Saxton Oval will also play host to three group matches during the 2015 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup.

The tour begins with the three Test matches, which will be held in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton before moving on to the ODI and Twenty20 series.

Despite no official warm-up games being scheduled, it is understood that a three-day game is being set up in late November.

Nelson Cricket Association general manager Ed Shuttleworth was ecstatic with the news of an ODI being played in the city, and said: “To bring international cricket to our region has been a goal for many years and achieving this is a moment of real pride for all those involved in developing cricket and the facilities in the region,” Shuttleworth said. “The legacy of international cricket will be significant with participation increasing and kids being inspired by seeing the Blackcaps in their home town.”