New Zealand’s limited-overs tour of Australia has been postponed until further notice due to New Zealand’s strict quarantine rules & borders controls which created uncertainty as to when the team would be able to return back.
Australia vs New Zealand match has been postponed
NZC and CA had put forth a proposal to extend the length of the tour so that New Zealand could return home “at a time more manageable for the MIQ process, but the government confirmed it had no capacity to meet the request.”
Even Cricket Australia confirmed the development in its official statement. “We are extremely disappointed that we won’t be able to play the scheduled matches against New Zealand as planned, however, we will continue to work with New Zealand Cricket to reschedule the series,” Nick Hockley, CA CEO, said on Wednesday (January 19).
“We thank NZC, who made every effort to make the series happen, however, because they were unable to get certainty over return quarantine arrangements, it is simply just not possible at this time.
“We know fans will be disappointed and thank them for their understanding given the unique circumstances that the global pandemic presents for everyone.
“We look forward to welcoming Sri Lanka to Australia next month and will confirm the schedule for that series as soon as possible”, Nick Hockley added to his statement
Both boards are discussing a window when the postponed tour can be rescheduled.
New Zealand’s limited-overs tour of Australia comprising 3 ODIs & one-off t20I was slated to be played between January 24 to February 9. Now both the boards are discussing a window when the postponed tour can be rescheduled.
NZC Chief Executive David White said: “As we now know, the advent of Omicron prompted a change of heart from the NZ Government, resulting in a hard 10-day mandatory isolation period being imposed on all incoming travellers.
“NZC and CA had explored a proposal to expand the tour and to push out the date on which the squad might return to New Zealand in the hope that might be more achievable for the Government. Unfortunately, we received advice this morning that they could not provide certainty over this”, David White concluded.
The first ODI was slated to be held at the Perth Stadium on January 30 followed by the 2nd ODI at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on February 2. The final ODI was scheduled to be played on February 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The only T20 international was set to be held at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on February 8.