Delay for Kiwi ODI series due to virus

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 Twenty20 match on February 8.

However, it is understood the New Zealand government has not granted the cricketers 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.

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 CA before conceding to an initial quarantine period and limited restrictions on their movements while here.

Pat Cummins and Travis Head 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 no player 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 and difficult tour.