ODI out as tour placed on hold
TOWNSVILLE’S first official international cricket fixture to feature the Australian side has officially been postponed amid coronavirus fears.
A three-match ODI series between the nation’s men’s side and Zimbabwe was set to begin on August 9, with Riverway Stadium to host the third match on August 15.
The match was set to put Townsville and Riverway Stadium back on the international map after hosting its last official ODI between Ireland and Papua New Guinea in 2016.
However a Cricket Australia statement said factors such as the short length of the series and the biosecurity measures that would need to be implemented contributed to the decision to postpone next month’s internationals.
There were also concerns for the health and safety of players, match officials and volunteers as the pandemic continues.
CA interim CEO Nick Hockley said the decision was made by mutual agreement between Australia and Zimbabwe Cricket, and while the postponement of the series was disappointing they would continuing working to make it a reality in the future.
“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,” he said.
“We are committed to working with Zimbabwe Cricket on alternative dates to reschedule.”
The presence of the national side in North Queensland was set to rejuvenate cricket in the region.
Townsville Cricket president Peter Fry told the Townsville Bulletin last month that having the likes of David Warner in the “sport-centric” community would have profound effects on the potential player base.
“Australians resonate so much with sport, if we’ve got positive things happening in sport people feel a lot better.”
While the Zimbabwe series will not go ahead as planned, games have also been scheduled for October and that has not changed as yet.
The Australian men’s T20 side is set to take on the West Indies on October 4 at Riverway Stadium, while the women’s Southern Stars team will take on New Zealand in an ODI the following day.