New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Cricket Australia (CA) have mutually agreed to cancel Australia’s tour of New Zealand for 3 T20Is in March after there was no managed isolation quarantine (MIQ) accommodation available for the Australian team. This tour was scheduled to run simultaneously with Australia’s Test tour of Pakistan.
NZC chief executive David White admitted that the tight restrictions at the border made it “impossible” for the tour to continue.
It’s disappointing – but we know it’s the same for businesses and individuals and other sports, and we’re grateful for the international schedule we have.”
The three T20Is were scheduled for March 17, 18 and 20 in Napier. Australia had defeated New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final last year in Dubai, clinching their maiden T20 title.
The rest of the New Zealand home summer remains unaffected. The women’s series against India has started on Wednesday while the men’s series against South Africa and the Netherlands will go ahead as scheduled, so will the women’s 50-over World Cup.
Cricket Australia, meanwhile, have announced a full-strength squad to tour Pakistan – their first tour to Pakistan since 1998 – for three Tests in March. Before that, Aaron Finch‘s side is going to host Sri Lanka for a 5-T20I series from Friday.
