Zimbabwe’s tour of Australia delayed: The three-match ODI series has been delayed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Zimbabwe’s three-match ODI tour of Australia, which was slated to kick-start international cricket in Australia this year, has now been postponed as an aftermath of the potential threat caused by the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
Announced more than a month ago by Cricket Australia, the three-match series would have begun in the second week of August and was expected to be conducted in the northern region of the country.
Furthermore, it would have been Zimbabwe’s first series in Australia since 2004 other than the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
While bilateral cricket will start in another week’s time in England, building a bio-secure environment for a three-match ODI series is understood to being among the biggest reasons behind the postponement of the tour.
Australia, who had earlier lost on hosting New Zealand for two ODIs in March, have not seen their second home series getting affected by coronavirus.
After hosting Zimbabwe according to the initial schedule, Australia were also scheduled to host West Indies for a three-match T20I series. While the same was primarily designed before the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, the prospect of the world event getting postponed might result in its postponement as well.
Zimbabwe’s tour of Australia delayed
Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement that the decision has been made in the best interest of all stakeholders and that both the board will work towards conducting the series once normalcy returns.
“While we are disappointed to postpone the series, CA and ZC agree that in the best interest of players, match officials, volunteers as well as our fans, that this is the most practical and sensible decision. We are committed to working with Zimbabwe Cricket on alternative dates to reschedule,” Hockley said in a statement.
As far as Australia’s return to international cricket is concerned, they are expected to tour England for three ODIs and as many T20Is in September.
