Summer is well and truly on its way with the arrival of the Afghanistan National Cricket team at Bay Oval today marking the start of a busy international schedule.

Afghanistan, one of the four qualifiers for the ICC World Cricket Cup 2015, is travelling to New Zealand as part of the ICC High Performance Programme to prepare for crickets pinnacle 50-over tournament.

The Afghanistan national cricket team.

In addition to the visit of Afghanistan, both Auckland and Northern Districts will train and play at the Bay Oval as they prepare for the NZ Cricket domestic season.

Arriving in town today the Afghanistan side will for the next two days before Thursday's 50 over match with Auckland, their first taste of combat at the Bay Oval, before backing up against the same opposition two days later.

The international visitors will sit on the side-line on October 6, as Northern Districts and Auckland meet in a pre-season hit-out before the New Zealand Cricket Domestic season kicks off in earnest.

The Afghanistan tour to New Zealand will finish with two games against Northern Districts. All matches give Bay of Plenty cricket fans a rare opportunity to watch an international team play in the country, free of charge.

The ground staff at the Bay Oval will have little time to rest, with the arrival of Ireland to train at the Bay Oval. The Irish will arrive in the Western Bay of Plenty on October 12, before moving on to matches in Christchurch.

Bay of Plenty Cricket history will be made on October 21, when the Black Caps play South Africa in the first Black Caps ODI at the countries latest International Cricket venue at the Bay Oval.

Three days later, the sides back up in the second ODI at the Bay Oval on October 24, before moving to Seddon Park in Hamilton for the third game of the ANZ International Series on Labour Day, October 27.

Afghanistan in the Bay of Plenty: All matches start at 11am.

2 October v Auckland at Bay Oval

4 October v Auckland at Bay Oval

7 October v Northern Districts at Bay Oval

9 October v Northern Districts at Bay Oval