Australia-Zimbabwe ODI Series Called Off Due To Pandemic

Zimbabwe will have to wait longer for a tour of Australia as their three-match ODI series has been postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic. Cricket Australia confirmed the development on Tuesday (June 30).

Zimbabwe have not visited Australia for a bilateral series since the 2003-04 season when both of them played a two-match Test series which was then followed by a tri-series with India being the other team. Zimbabwe last visited Australia in 2015 for the World Cup.

The ODI series was very expected to be postponed. Earlier this month, Australia’s head coach Justin Langer had already hinted that this tour was unlikely to take place as scheduled. He had stated that Australia will be focusing on returning to action by September. On the other hand, the three ODIs were initially scheduled to take place on August 9, 12 and 15.

“We were excited about facing Australia but, given the circumstances, deferring the tour was the only option,” Acting Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said. “We are, however, looking forward to the rescheduling of the series as soon as practically possible.”

Earlier, Zimbabwe’s tour of India was also postponed due to the pandemic. They are now scheduled to host Afghanistan for five T20Is at home in July-August which also looks unlikely to go ahead at this point.

On the other hand, Australia saw their three-match ODI series against New Zealand being postponed after the first game was played behind closed doors. Their tour of New Zealand for a T20I series was also called off. Cricket Australia also called-off their Test series in Bangladesh which was scheduled to take place this month.

Australia, however, could return to action in September in England if the CA and ECB manage to work on a schedule for a limited-overs series which was originally supposed to be played in July. England are currently gearing up to take on West Indies in a three-match Test series starting on July 8. After that, they will host Pakistan for three Tests and as many T20Is.

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