The remaining two ODIs of the ongoing three-match Chappell-Hadlee have been called off along with the following three-match T20I series between Australia and New Zealand which was scheduled to take place later this month. The series has been canceled due to new travel restrictions imposed by the New Zealand government amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday afternoon, New Zealand took some strict actions regarding the border restrictions saying those entering the country from Australia would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.
This new border restriction will come into effect on Sunday at midnight (local time). Therefore, the Blackcaps will be returning home on Saturday to avoid having to undertake the self-isolation. The team management was making arrangements for the majority of the squad to leave Sydney on Saturday evening.
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On Friday, after the first ODI of the series had taken place in front of the empty stands at the SCG, the NZC said that Lockie Ferguson had been isolated from his team-mates and undertook a precautionary COVID-19 test after reporting a sore throat. Ferguson’s test results are still being awaited but it is considered a very low chance of being coronavirus.
The new restrictions also mean that the three-match T20I series, which was due to be played in Dunedin, Auckland and Christchurch at the end of the month need to be canceled. The NZC said they hoped both the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series – which began Australia winning the opening match by 71 runs – and the T20I series can be postponed for a later date.
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NZC’s statement read: “NZC understands and supports the government’s position. This is a time of unprecedented risk and peril, and the personal health and well-being of our players are paramount.”
The Chappell-Hadlee was the last international series still being played following the abandonment of England’s tour of Sri Lanka and South Africa’s ODI series in India on Saturday.
