Cricket boards of Australia and Zimbabwe agreed to postpone the two nation's limited-overs series scheduled for August down under in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Australia was due to host Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series from August 9 to 15, but those fixtures are now indefinitely suspended. 

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"The boards of both cricket bodies have come to the mutual conclusion due to a combination of factors, including the short length of the series, the significant bio-security measures that would need to be implemented prior to August, and concern for the health and safety of players, match officials, and volunteers," reads a media release by Cricket Australia (CA). 

The series had first been put in doubt by Australian head coach Justin Langer, who had said he expects his boys to regain full fitness after such a long break only by September. 

This now means that Zimbabwe hasn't visited Australia for a bilateral tour for close to 17 years since the 2003-04 trip. 

"While we are disappointed to postpone the series, CA and ZC agree that in the best interest of players, match officials, volunteers as well as our fans, that this is the most practical and sensible decision," said interim CA chief executive Nick Hockley. 

Acting Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said deferring the tour was the only option the two boards were left with in such circumstances. 

"We were excited about facing Australia but, given the circumstances, deferring the tour was the only option. We are, however, looking forward to the rescheduling of the series as soon as practically possible," he said.

In what was to a rare busy cricket season for Zimbabwe, the African nation was due to face Ireland, India, Afghanistan, Netherlands at home and travel to Australia. 

All those matches have now been affected by the ongoing pandemic.