Australia Test against Afghanistan and New Zealand white-ball tour postponed until 2021-22

But the Kiwis will face West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh at home after obtaining government support for the matches to go ahead

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Cricket Australia have postponed the one-off Test with Afghanistan and white-ball matches with New Zealand scheduled for their summer.

Afghanistan were due to face the Ashes holders for a single five-day game in Perth from December 7-11.

New Zealand had penciled in three one-day internationals and a T20 in January and February 2021 but those games have also been pulled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nick Hockley, CA interim chief executive said: "We all worked incredibly hard to make the series happen this summer, but the challenges around international travel and quarantine restrictions ultimately convinced all parties that the series would need to be played at a later date."

Australia remain hopeful of fulfilling the Test and one-day international series against India which makes up the crux of their winter schedule. They have already seen a home T20 World Cup pushed back to 2022 and tournament warm-ups against West Indies and India canned too.

There is better news for the Kiwis, however, with the visits of West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Australia all signed off.

The government have permitted the Windies and Pakistan matches scheduled for November, December and January to go ahead, with the other tours also likely to be agreed to.

"It’s a huge boost for us," said NZC chief executive David White, who added that an enforced 14-day quarantine in Australia put paid to the tour. 

"It’s our financial lifeline. International cricket funds the whole game of cricket in New Zealand, so it’s very very important for us. Certainly, the benefits outweigh the costs."

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