Coronavirus hits cricket: ODI, Two series between Australia and New Zealand postponed
Sydney/IBNS: Amid Coronavirus spread across the globe, Australia's one-day international series against New Zealand has been postponed.
Australia won the first match against the opponents on Friday.
The first match was played behind closed doors.
New Zealand players returned to their country following imposition of travel restrictions.
"At 4.30pm NZT this afternoon, the New Zealand Government tightened its border restrictions and included Australia on the list of countries from which those entering New Zealand would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.This new border restriction is to come into effect tomorrow at midnight (10pm Sydney time)," the official cricket board of New Zealand said in a statement.
"A consequence of this is that we need to get our team back to New Zealand before the restriction is imposed, meaning it will not be able to participate in the two remaining Chappell-Hadlee fixtures.
Arrangements are being made to fly the bulk of the squad home this evening," it said.
The last two ODI matches of the series will not be played now.
The three Twenty20s between the teams in New Zealand, which was scheduled to start from Mar 24, has now been postponed.
"NZC believes both these series can be replayed in their entirety at a later and more appropriate date," read the statement.
