The three-match ODI series between Australia and New Zealand has been called off effective immediately.
The cancellation comes after the New Zealand government announced they would be tightening their borders in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The final two matches of the series, scheduled to be held in Sydney on Sunday March 15 and Hobart on Friday March 20, will no longer go ahead.
It’s the second outright cancellation of an Australian sporting event, after the Melbourne Grand Prix was scrapped on Friday.
The Black Caps made the call to fly their squad home after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a mandatory self-isolation period for anyone entering the country after midnight on Sunday, March 15.
The upcoming T20I series between the Black Caps and Australia in New Zealand, which was slated to start on Tuesday March 24 in Dunedin, has also been cancelled.
The news follows Cricket Australia’s decision to hold the first match of the series behind closed doors at the SCG on Friday, where Australia won by 71 runs.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Has anyone asked Townsville if they'd like a couple of hundred NRL players in residence for the winter? It's a silly idea. Whoever came up with it should be punished by being locked in a cell with the Johns brothers for a couple of weeks. It's not all bad news atm though... I read with enthusiasm that Ray Hadley has been punted by Nein. Hopefully, this is something else that's contagious and Fox will do the same with Voss and Smith.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Not suggesting there is law suits but I would be surprised if no compensation changes hands. Very difficult times for all concerned.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Have they got a few different grounds to play on in townsville? If they are playing all the games there they wouldn't want to do them all on one ground. (Could get to look like some of those classic photos of playing in a mud-hole eventually). I suppose it doesn't need to be a ground with a stadium, as long as they can rig up everything needed for TV broadcasting. It's not a bad way to go. Wouldn't be great for players all being away from home for a long time, but if all play is going to be for TV only, no crowds, then there's no such thing really has home ground advantage as such. But it could allow the sport to continue without exposing them to travel. Could keep everyone involved reasonably isolated and reduce any great risk of the virus getting in.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Lots of companies and people are going to be out of pocked over COVID-19. I doubt there will be many lawsuits over it. CA are also cancelling things themselves. They can't cancel the Shield over these concerns and then sue NZ over pulling their team out of two ODI's.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What team will be out? The Warriors will relocate to Australia...is that who you're referencing?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Seems to be slander. The Aussie teams and Aussie fans loved the Windies apparently, especially from that great Tied Test series in 1960 I think? Seems you're right: one or two comments made seem to be blown out of all proportion.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Correct!
Rellum
Roar Guru
No one is turning out.
Rossy
Roar Rookie
Shield has been canned too...
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Yep it was good, though I thought it overplayed the idea that they suffered a lot of racism when they toured Australia. My own perception at the time, including going to all five days of the Sydney Test as a schoolboy in 1976, was that Windies teams were very popular, same vibe around everything you read about the 1960-61 tour. No doubt racist remarks from a few, but that wasn’t very apparent.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Haha, just read that the final rounds been cancelled. That answers that question I suppose.
Marty
Roar Rookie
How about telecasting some of the Sheffield Shield instead?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Townsville was the consensus vote. The Dullbogs voted for Coffs...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
The NRL hasn't been a "fair competition" since they stopped playing a full H & A Sprucie.
matth
Roar Guru
Disney Plus brought forward their UK launch to take advantage and have released Frozen 2 on the platform two months early. There are some smart cynical businessmen in that Organisation
matth
Roar Guru
I was wondering where he came from. What a great start to his first class career.
matth
Roar Guru
All dropped at once. If you do t want to pay for Amazon take your free trial and then cancel when you’ve watched it
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Word is the rest of the shield is to be abandoned not known yet if a winner will be announced.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The NRL & A League are organising to base the Warriors & Phoenix in Australia.
Christopher
Guest
The live content on Kayo has dropped 50%, no NBA, NHL, no European soccer leagues and no Six Nations. When the NRL, A league and and Super Rugby are cancelled due to Jacinda Ardern’s announcement or due to a virus scare from players that will leave only the AFL until they have a virus scare. We could see no live sport at all on Kayo in two weeks.