The Netherlands are coming to Napier after New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia agreed to abandon the BLACKCAPS' upcoming T20i Series, that had been rescheduled to be played etirely in Napier in March, NZC announced today.

The Australia games set down for McLean Park on March 17, 18 and 20 had initially been arranged on the basis of the New Zealand Government’s plan to relax restrictions at the trans-Tasman border.

However, with those plans now substantially delayed and no MIQ accommodation available for the Australian side on their scheduled arrival into New Zealand, NZC has been given no choice but to abandon the Series.

As a consequence (and given the cancellations would have left Hawke’s Bay with a substantially reduced international programme this season) the BLACKCAPS-Netherlands T20i on March 25, previously scheduled for Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, will now be played at Napier’s McLean Park instead.

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NZC chief executive David White said the move to call off the Australia tour had become inevitable given the restrictions at the border.

“At the time we scheduled the visit, there was a lot of hope that the trans-Tasman border would be open for those who met the right criteria.

“However, the advent of Omicron has, unfortunately, changed everything at the border, and has made it impossible for us to continue with the Series.

“It’s disappointing, but we know it’s the same for businesses and individuals and other sports, and we’re grateful for the international schedule we have.”

Mr White noted the Series was a late addition to the NZ summer schedule, and expressed his thanks to Cricket Australia for their support, and their attempts to assist with the season.

Article added: Wednesday 09 February 2022