Australia will not tour New Zealand for the three-match T20I series next month due to COVID-19 border regulations. The matches were scheduled to take place in Napier from March 17 to 20. 

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COVID-19 cases in New Zealand have surged after the arrival of the omicron variant. The country has put back the re-opening of the international border and the series cannot take place because the Australian men’s team does not have places reserved in managed isolation.

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“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,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement Wednesday.

“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.”

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Aaron Finch and co had defeated the Kiwis in the final of the T20 World Cup finals. They defeated Joe Root’s England 4-0 in the five-test Ashes series and are due to host Sri Lanka in a five-match T20 series starting Friday.

New Zealand is set to host the Women’s Cricket World Cup starting March 4. The seven teams visiting for the World Cup — India, England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh — will have to quarantine in New Zealand ahead of the tournament.

With inputs from the Associated Press