Coronavirus: Australia vs New Zealand ODI, T20I Series Postponed

The coronavirus pandemic has accounted for yet another cricket series as the ODI and the forthcoming T20I series between Australia and New Zealand have been postponed. Both the teams played the first ODI behind closed doors on Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground before the cricket boards decided to call off the series.

Australia won the ODI by 71 runs to end their five-match losing streak in ODIs. The teams were to play the second and third ODI on March 15 and 20 respectively. In order to combat the outbreak, New Zealand have decided to enforce a mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone who enters its borders from Australia after midnight of Sunday.

This has prompted New Zealand Cricket to bring back their players home at the earliest. The pandemic has also led to the postponement of Australia’s tour of New Zealand that was to follow, where the two teams were to play three T20Is on March 24, 27 and 29.

This is a no-handshake zone! #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/DNrppiGxC2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 13, 2020

Both Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket have expressed their hope that the two series can be played at a later date. The Black Caps had already announced that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who bowled nine overs and took 2-60 in the first ODI, was in isolation after reporting a sore throat. The results of his test for COVID-19 were not yet known.

Earlier on Friday, Australia paceman Kane Richardson missed the ODI as he was tested for the virus but his results came back negative and re-joined the squad.

The latest cancellation has further increased a growing list of cricket fixtures which are being postponed or called off in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. On Friday, India’s ODI series against South Africa was called off. England also cancelled their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended too till April 15 while the ongoing Pakistan Super League will finish four days earlier. The IPL was initially scheduled to start on March 29. The April 15 date coincides with visa restrictions that have been imposed by the Indian government which would have kept all international players out of the country until then anyway.

Also Read: Coronavirus: Chennai Super Kings’ Training Camp Suspended