Cricket Australia postpones Afghan Test, NZ ODIs until 2021-22

Sydney: Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday that upcoming historic maiden Test against Afghanistan and proposed ODI series vs New Zealand have been postponed until 2021-22 due to global coronavirus pandemic.Australia's planned historic maiden Test against Afghanistan slated for Perth later this year has  been postponed until next summer.  

Complexities surrounding international travel and quarantine requirements have also forced Cricket Australia to push back their proposed men's ODI series against New Zealand until 2021-22, meaning Virat Kohli's India will be the sole men's touring team to visit this summer.

Details of the four Test matches, three one-day internationals and three T20 internationals to be played between Australia and India are expected to be confirmed soon said CA.The three-match ODI series against New Zealand (which initially also included a T20I) was to have been staged in Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Sydney from late January.

CA indicated it was confident a suitable window could be found within the current ICC Future Tours Program (FTP), that maps out the complex playing schedule for international men's teams, to stage the postponed bilateral matches before the FTP's conclusion in 2023.

"Cricket Australia looks forward to working with our good friends at the Afghanistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket to deliver the matches at a time when, hopefully, the restrictions brought on by the COVID19 pandemic have eased," CA's interim Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said. 

"We all worked incredibly hard to make the series happen this summer, but the challenges around international travel and quarantine restrictions ultimately convinced all parties that the series would need to be played at a later date.

"CA looks forward to welcoming the Indian men's team for a full schedule of matches this summer in what promises to be an incredible contest across all three formats.

"CA would also like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful partners for their understanding and support as we have navigated the complexities of hosting international sport during a pandemic to deliver a thrilling summer across men's and women's cricket at international and domestic level."(UNI)