Kane Williamson and Aaron Finch, T20 World Cup
Kane Williamson and Aaron Finch (Credits: Twitter)

New Zealand’s limited-overs tour of Australia has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia were supposed to host their Trans-Tasman neighbours for three One-Day International matches and a lone T20I game between January 30 and February 9.

NZC and CA had explored a proposal to expand the tour: DavidbWhite

The New Zealand government recently imposed a stringent 10-day mandatory quarantine period as a measure to combat the new variant of COVID-19 (Omicron). New Zealand Cricket (NZC) were concerned about their player’s return journey because of the travel restrictions.

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,” NZC chief executive David White said in a statement.

David White
David White (Image Credit: Twitter)

Unfortunately, we received advice this morning that they could not provide certainty over this.”

We will continue to work with New Zealand Cricket: Cricket Australia CEO

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley expressed his disappointment with the postponement of Australia’s summer but said they will work along with NZC to reschedule the series.

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“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,” Hockley said in a statement.

Cricket Australia Chief Nick Hockley
Cricket Australia Chief Nick Hockley (Image Credit: Twitter)

“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,” he further added.

This is the third time in a row that the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series has been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the first instance in 44 years that there won’t be any ODI matches for the Australian summer.

It also means that New Zealand’s talisman Ross Taylor, who will be retiring at the end of the summer, won’t get to play against Australia again.

Australia will host Sri Lanka for a five-match T20I series starting on February 11 in Sydney.

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