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Australia's one-day international cricket series against New Zealand has been postponed after one game following a tightening of border restrictions by the New Zealand government in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Key points:
- The New Zealand government has added Australia to the list of countries from which arrivals have to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period
- This means that the New Zealand men's cricket team, in Australia for an ODI series, must try to return home before a cut-off at midnight on Sunday New Zealand time
- Australia's men's team was due to travel to New Zealand for a T20 international series beginning in 10 days' time, but that series will not go ahead
The Black Caps side played the first of three scheduled ODIs against Australia at the SCG on Friday night, however a decision was made on Saturday for the team to return home immediately and to postpone the rest of the series.
Games at the SCG on Sunday and at Bellerive Oval in Hobart next Friday will not go ahead.
A return series for Australia in New Zealand, with three T20 internationals, was scheduled to begin in Dunedin on March 24.
That series has also been postponed. Cricket Australia and New Zealand cricket have expressed their hope that both series can played at a later date.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) put out a statement on Saturday, highlighting the government's decision to include Australia on the list of countries from which people entering New Zealand would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.
Your questions on coronavirus answered:
"This new border restriction is to come into effect tomorrow at midnight (10pm Sydney time)," New Zealand Cricket said in the statement.
"A consequence of this is that we need to get our team back to New Zealand before the restriction is imposed, meaning it will not be able to participate in the two remaining Chappell-Hadlee fixtures.
"Arrangements are at this moment being made to fly the bulk of the squad home this evening.
"This development also means the three-match T20I series scheduled for New Zealand cannot proceed as the mandatory self-isolation period would also apply to the Australian squad as soon as it crossed the border into New Zealand.
"NZC believes both these series can be replayed in their entirety at a later and more appropriate date.
"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."
Cricket Australia (CA) also put out a statement, saying both countries would "work together to identify a future opportunity to play both series".
"CA will continue to monitor the situation with a primary focus on the health and well-being of players, employees and the public."
New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson, who played at the SCG, was cleared of coronavirus after earlier being put in isolation, having complained of a sore throat after Friday's match.
He underwent tests, which came back negative, and will return to New Zealand on Sunday morning.
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
ABC/AAP
Topics: infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, sport, cricket, onedayseries, sydney-2000, nsw, hobart-7000, tas, australia, new-zealand
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