New Zealand Government has given a green signal to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to host the international cricket matches in the county this summer amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
The NZC now can host hosts the scheduled series against West Indies and Pakistan in late 2020 or early 2021 behind closed doors and in bio-secure venues with the strict bio-bubble protocols in place.
Apart from the home series involving Pakistan and West Indies, NZC is also hoping to host Bangladesh in limited-overs series, as well as, Australia women’s team in February when New Zealand would have been staging the now postponed 50-overs Women’s World Cup 2021.
NZC said in a statement on Friday: “New Zealand Cricket has received government approval to proceed with plans to host international touring sides this summer ... beginning with the West Indies and Pakistan’s men’s teams in November, December, and January.”
The statement further added, “A press conference to announce the details of the upcoming summer’s international ... schedule will be held early next week.”
Meanwhile, NZC boss David White welcomed the news by saying it would be a big financial boost for the organization and thanked the government for their support and giving the green signal to host the cricket.
White further stated: “It's a huge boost for us. It's our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game of cricket in New Zealand. It's very important for us.”
The NZC chief also revealed that the teams would fly to Auckland then catch a charter to Christchurch, where they would stay in quarantine while training at NZC's high-performance centre in Lincoln University – where all players would follow health and testing protocols set down by the government.
White further pointed out: “It's not going to come cheap, we will be footing the bill but we are happy to do that and fully understand it's a user-pays model. We'll be guided by the government, whatever they demand, we'll follow.”
Well, the Black Caps’ international summer is slated to start with a tour by the West Indies consisting three T20Is and two Tests and then Pakistan for three T20Is and two Tests, and New Zealand Minister of Sport Grant Robertson has made it clear that all incoming teams would be subject to strict protocols.
Robertson pointed out: “Getting teams into managed isolation and allowing them to train and be competitive has not been an easy task. While sports teams will be operating within a bubble, safety will be ensured through the provision of normal infection prevention control mechanisms like physical separation, normal hygiene practices and PPE. Training facilities will also be secure, safe and isolated.”
Noteworthy, with no scheduled tours until a trip to play Pakistan next October, New Zealand will go 18 months with no game since March due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
(With Reuters Inputs)
