New Zealand ODI and T20 tour faces Covid quarantine threat

New Zealand‘s tour of Australia to play ODI and T20 matches is unlikely to go ahead while a reciprocal tour by the Aussie men also under threat.

New Zealand’s ODI and T20 tour of Australia is under threat. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Australia’s one day series against New Zealand is in doubt and could be postponed today as quarantine restrictions make the trip unpalatable for the visitors.

The Kiwis were due to fly to Australia next week and play the first of three 50 over games on January 30.

The tour was to conclude with a single T20 match on February 8.

However, it is understood the New Zealand government has not granted the cricketers any exemptions from a 10 day quarantine on return and the players cannot see any point in another quarantine for such a short series.

Australia was then due to fly to New Zealand for a T20 series in mid March before flying on to Pakistan but that too is in doubt because of quarantine restrictions.

There are reports from New Zealand that the home side had not even applied for Managed Isolation Quarantine on return.

New Zealand’s ODI and T20 tour of Australia is under threat. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It is understood the New Zealand government was to decide early this week about exemptions but none have been forthcoming.

Cricket Australia was supposed to name a squad this week for the tours.

England’s side had set conditions surrounding quarantine ahead of the Ashes and had to be placated in meetings with Cricket Australia before conceding to an initial quarantine period and limited restrictions on their movements while here.

Pat Cummins and Travis Head both missed matches after being ruled as close contacts while England coach Chris Silverwood missed the fourth Test after he was a close contact and then tested positive.

Most of the support visiting coaching staff and some of their families were affected but none of the players tested positive.

There were fears that if the virus got into the playing group the tour may have been foreshortened but to the credit of the England cricket team they saw out what was a long, difficult tour.

Australian captain Pat Cummins thanked England for their sacrifice at the end of the series.

Originally published as New Zealand ODI and T20 tour faces Covid quarantine threat