Australia forced to reschedule New Zealand series: Details here
Following a dispute with the BCCI, Cricket Australia (CA) has shifted three ODIs against New Zealand from January to March 2020. As per reports, Australia's summer schedule announcement is due on Tuesday and it would feature confirmation of three Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ODIs on March 13, 15, and 20 respectively. Here is more on the same.
The reason behind the move
The three ODIs, as agreed in the Future Tours Programme (FTP), were pencilled in for early January next year after the New Year Test between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) insisted on having Australia in an ODI series in mid-January. This resulted to CA shifting the NZ series to March instead.
Why India refused to reschedule Australia series to March 2020?
BCCI reportedly turned down Australia's offer to reschedule the series to March 2020, since the calendar was reworked a number of times by the ICC, in presence of other board members. Moreover, since Indian players need to maintain a rest window of 15 days before and after the IPL, this led to the decision of not rescheduling the series.
BCCI and CA remained locked at odds
BCCI and CA are unable to break the deadlock regarding the series rescheduling, while many wonder as to if the series dates were even agreed. Nevertheless, BCCI has had the upper hand so far. Meanwhile, CA chief executive Kevin Roberts and chairman Earl Eddings are scheduled to visit India on May 11 to have further possible discussions on the issue.
Aussies to play NZ in three Tests starting December
The Test series against New Zealand will kick-off with a day-night test at Perth's Optus Stadium in December 2019. This D/N Test will be before the coveted Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The day-night Test has become a tradition in Australia for the past four years and is set to continue. CA is also aiming at drawing bigger crowds during important Tests.
Australia to play two day-night Tests
Australia will play two D/N Tests at home featuring against Pakistan in November and then versus the Kiwis in December. Pakistan are all set to play Australia in a two-match Test series. The opening Test is in Brisbane, which will be a D/N affair.
