Wellington the big loser as NZ Cricket relocates games due to Covid

Wellington has lost a Blackcaps test against South Africa and two T20s against Australia, with New Zealand Cricket relocating a host of the remaining international matches this summer, to mitigate the risk of an Omicron outbreak.

South Africa men’s side will now be based in Christchurch for the entire duration of its visit, playing both its scheduled tests at Hagley Oval rather than moving to the Basin Reserve for the second match, as initially scheduled.

Australia’s three T20s against the Blackcaps will now all be in Napier (subject to MIQ availability), and the Netherlands men’s tour wil be split between Mount Maunganui (one T20 and one ODI) and Hamilton (two ODIs).

The White Ferns will now play its short-form series against India (one T20 and five ODIs) solely at John Davies Oval in Queenstown, prior to the ODI World Cup scheduled for March.

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.

David White
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

“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 Mr 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, Mr 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) ensure people are safe and well, and 2) deliver a summer of international cricket with the least possible disruption.”

Mr 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 venues to accommodate multiple “pods”, each of no more than 100 spectators – in accordance with government guidelines.

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

The revised home summer schedule will now comprise:

Blackcaps v South Africa: both tests to be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

White Ferns v India: one T20I & five ODIs to be played at John Davies Oval, Queenstown.

Blackcaps v Australia: all three T2os to be played at McLean Park, Napier.

Blackcaps v Netherlands – one T20I & one ODI to be played at Bay Oval, Tauranga;

the last two ODIs to be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton.