Australia will begin its World Cup defence against New Zealand.

Sydney (Reuters) : In a rematch of last year’s final, Australia will open their defence of their Twenty20 World Cup championship against New Zealand on Oct. 22 in Sydney.

For the first time, Australia will host the competition, which begins on Oct. 16 and goes through Nov. 13.

The hosts have been placed in Group 1 of the Super 12 phase of the championship alongside New Zealand, whom they defeated in Dubai in November, as well as England, Afghanistan, the first-round winners of Group A and runners-up in Group B.

Group 2 will include India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh, as well as the Group B and Group A winners and runners-up.

Sixteen countries will compete in the event, which will be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

Sri Lanka and Namibia will meet off in the opening round of the event on Oct. 16 in Geelong, where they will be joined by two qualifiers.

Group B will include the West Indies, Scotland, and two further qualifiers.

On November 13, the final will be contested under lights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.