Kiwi cricketers have been bowled by Covid ahead of Hobart ODI clash with Australia

Covid has cost cricket fans an ODI blockbuster between Australia and New Zealand but Cricket Tasmania is already planning something exciting involving the Kiwis next summer.

CRICKET Tasmania is hoping for third time lucky in enticing New Zealand to Hobart for an ODI blockbuster against Australia next summer after the Kiwis this week cancelled their white-ball tour for the second year running.

With the state still basking in the success of the Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena last week, cricket boss Dominic Baker said local fans were poised to throw their support behind Australia in the one-day form of the game.

That was torpedoed on Wednesday when New Zealand pulled the pin because of Australia’s growing Covid crisis.

Australia and New Zealand were scheduled to play a one-dayer at Blundstone Arena on February 3.

“We were disappointed but we understand the very fluid situation at the moment,” Baker said.

“The New Zealand government tightened up its borders over the past fortnight making it almost impossible for New Zealand’s team to get back out of Australia because of the relevant quarantine processes.

“If we hadn’t just played a Test match we would have been really, really disappointed, and that’s not to say that we still aren’t, but the blow is softened after having a world-class game in Tassie.

TOPSHOT - Australia's players celebrates with the trophy after defeating England on the third day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match in Hobart on January 16, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) /

“We are disappointed for our fans and our members, but pleased we were able to deliver something special for them this summer.”

Baker said if at first you don’t succeed, try again.

“We will keep working with our colleagues in New Zealand to see if we can get it for the third time,” he said.

“This is the second time it has been cancelled for Covid reasons so let’s hope it’s third time lucky next summer.”

The support for the Test match set the scene for another well-supported international clash.

“We were overwhelmed with the response for the Ashes, the way people rolled out,” Baker said.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker with a pink ball after it was announced Blundstone Arena will host the fifth Ashes Test. Picture Brett Stubbs

“It shows that when you bring top-class sport to the state people will go and watch it.

“New Zealand is rated the number one Test nation in the world and were runners-up in the 50-over World Cup recently, and Australia is flying,” Baker said.

“It couldn’t have been a better match up. We would have gotten a great crowd.”

Tasmania’s T20 World Cup-winning hero Matthew Wade said the Kiwi cancellation was unavoidable.

“With the Covid times were in and New Zealand not being able to come here for that series, I’m not 100 per cent sure what Cricket Australia will do [to fill the void],” he said.

Wade will skipper the Hobart Hurricanes in their Big Bash final against Adelaide Strikers in Melbourne on Friday night.