The wait has been long for New Zealand cricket to return to the fore ever since the novel coronavirus-induced pandemic took over in mid-March. New Zealand were touring Australia when the pandemic put an excruciatingly long pause on the team’s international ventures. The 3-match ODI series started and ended on March 13 and that marked the last international cricket game until England hosted West Indies in July.
However, it’s good news again for the New Zealand cricket team and the fans with their international home summer getting a go-ahead, upon confirmation of SOPs for visiting teams, from the government. New Zealand are supposed to host West Indies and Pakistan in their upcoming home summer and the cricket board is also hoping to host Bangladesh and Australia as well with time.“NZC has received Government approval to proceed with plans to host international touring sides this summer, in line with prescribed health protocols and beginning with
. Details of the upcoming summer’s schedule will be announced early next week”: BlackCaps wrote on their Twitter.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s limited-overs tour to Australia early in 2021 has been postponed due to the quarantine demands in both nations could lead to a schedule that won’t be feasible for either of the teams. Besides, NZC is also hopeful of hosting the Australia women’s team and England Women in that time frame. NZC CEO David White has expressed his thrill over the government approval as its a big news for the financial aspect of the board.”It’s a huge boost for us, it’s our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game in New Zealand so it’s very important. It won’t come cheap, we’ll be footing the bill, but we are happy to do that,” White said.
“That 14-day managed isolation at both sides of the Tasman is a challenge. We’ve worked with Cricket