NZC has moved to streamline BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS home schedules this season in order to mitigate the risk of an Omicron outbreak compromising the upcoming fixtures.

The immediate changes, announced this morning, will now all three of Australia’s T20 Internationals against the BLACKCAPS hosted in Napier, subject to MIQ availability.

Other alterations will see the WHITE FERNS short-form series against India (one T20 and five ODIs) played solely at John Davies Oval in Queenstown (no longer in Napier or Nelson); and the Netherlands men’s tour split between Mount Maunganui (one T20 and one ODI) and Hamilton (two ODIs).

For the upcoming Test series, the South Africa men’s side will remain in Christchurch for the entire duration of its visit, playing both scheduled Tests at Hagley Oval rather than decamping to Wellington's Basin Reserve for the second match, as initially scheduled.

NZC chief executive David White said the venue changes were just one part of a contingency plan designed to safeguard the health of all participants, and to reduce the chance of matches or Series being jeopardised by an outbreak.

“These risk mitigations are based on avoiding known COVID-19 hotspots, and include limiting air travel, limiting accommodation transfers and, essentially, operating in safer environments,” said White.

“We know the more domestic flights we have, and the more movement there is between hotels, the greater the chance of a match or even a Series being put at risk.”

While crowds were likely to be severely reduced because of protocols under the “red” setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework system, White said he knew those venues and centres that had lost fixtures would be sorely disappointed.

“It’s a real blow for those in our cricket family who have missed out on hosting events through no fault of their own.

“However, the current environment demands we take every possible measure to 1) make sure people are safe and well, and 2) deliver a summer of international cricket with the least possible disruption.”

White said the intent was to play all matches on the dates, and at the times, previously scheduled, and to explore the concept of allowing multiple pods - each of no more than 100 spectators, in venues in accordance with Government guidelines.

Patrons who had purchased tickets for games no longer being played at the advertised venues would receive full refunds.

REVISED 2021/22 NZC SUMMER SCHEDULE

BLACKCAPS v South Africa – two Tests

Both matches now played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

WHITE FERNS v India – one T20I and five ODIs

All matches now played at John Davies Oval, Queenstown

(no longer at Nelson or Napier)

BLACKCAPS v Australia – three T20Is

All matches to be played at McLean Park, Napier

(previously only the third T20i was scheduled for Napier)

BLACKCAPS v Netherlands – one T20 & three ODIs

The first two matches (one T20I & one ODI) to be played at Bay Oval, Tauranga

The last two matches (two ODIs) to be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Article added: Thursday 27 January 2022