Australia, New Zealand discuss possibility of resuming cricket with Trans-Tasman rivalry

The two countries might return to normalcy quicker than other nations amid COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealand could play Australia soon to restart int'l cricket | Getty

Australia and New Zealand could resume cricket soon with the Trans-Tasman rivalry, as cricket boards from the two countries discussed the possibility of taking advantage of the safety bubble that might be created because of the close proximity. 

The two nations' governments are planning to open up a corridor to allow quarantine-free travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Such an arrangement with other countries being unfeasible at the moment, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White has been discussing the possibility of more Trans-Tasman cricket with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Roberts. 

"I've talked to Kevin Roberts about that. A Tasman bubble would be terrific if it did eventuate," White told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"It would present some opportunities going forward. But I think the key is to keep an open mind and be flexible so if opportunities do arise we can take them."

"We haven't talked specifics really. What we have talked about is conceptually the possibility of playing each other and that's where we are at the moment."

Both Australia and New Zealand have dealt with the crisis significantly better than some of the other, more populated countries of the world. 

The two nations' last international assignment was also together, for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in Australia in March, which was unfortunately suspended after its first game in Sydney took place in an empty SCG stadium. 

With no certainty at this stage over when the normalcy would return, both New Zealand and Australia have their immediate and foreseeable cricket fixtures under serious threat, as do the rest of the ICC member nations.

(Inputs from PTI) 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 13 May, 2020

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