BCCI puts all domestic tournaments on hold
Mumbai, March 14: The BCCI on Saturday put on hold all its remaining domestic tournaments, including the blue riband Irani Cup match between Rest of India and Ranji Trophy champions Saurashtra, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement signed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the Board said prominent tournaments that stand postponed are the Irani Cup, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women's One-Day Knockout and the Senior Women's One-Day Challenger, among others. The junior women's tournaments, put on hold until further notice, include the Under-19 One-Day knockout, Under-19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Under-19 T20 Challenger Trophy, Under-23 knockout and Under-23 One-Day Challenger.
Australia vs NZ series called off Meanwhile, the two remaining games of the Chappell-Hadlee ODI series between Australia and New Zealand were on Saturday cancelled as the visiting side will have to hurry back home to avoid a new set of travel restrictions owing to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“In response to the New Zealand government's latest travel restrictions, Cricket
Australia has been advised the New Zealand team will be returning home immediately,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket will work together to identify a future opportunity to play both series,” it added.
NZ government puts restrictions
It has been learnt that on Saturday, the New Zealand government tightened border restrictions and stating that all those entering the country from Australia would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day selfisolation period.
This new restrictions, which come into from Sunday midnight, would have led to the New Zealand team being quarantined if it stayed back to complete the assignment.
“NZC understands and supports the government's position. This is a time of unprecedented risk and peril, and the personal health and well-being of our players is paramount,” a statement from NZC said.
The Chappell-Hadlee series was the last international series still being played following the abandonment of England’s tour of Sri Lanka and South Africa’s one-day series in India on Saturday.