Australia and New Zealand cricket boards have called off next month's T20I series that was to be played in Napier due to strict Covid-19 border controls. There were no managed isolation quarantine spots (MIQ) available for the Australian team in New Zealand.
The government's decision to push back the date of opening up of the border forced the cancellation of the series, said NZC head David White.
"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," White said.
The three-game series has been cancelled due to New Zealand's border controls and quarantine requirements.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 8, 2022
We look forward to seeing the Trans-Tasman rivalry resume when we meet New Zealand in the #T20WorldCup opener later this year. pic.twitter.com/4ymaQxXHsq
"However, the advent of Omicron has, unfortunately, changed everything at the border and has made it impossible for us to continue with the series."
New Zealand's current Covid-19 protocol involves a strict 10-day hotel quarantine for all international arrivals.
Australia's series was scheduled with the expectation that New Zealand would relax the MIQ rules for the trans-Tasman country, but the delay in relaxation has already pushed the date of New Zealand's ODI tour of Australia that was to begin on January 30.
New Zealand were planning to send a squad to Australia for the limited-overs series, keeping the Test team aside for the South Africa tour. But the tour has been postponed indefinitely as it was uncertain when the squad could return home due to the MIQ rules.
