New Zealand Cricket has reshuffled the schedules for the Bangladesh (men) and Australia (women) tours in March, including a bonus for fans of Twenty20 double-headers.
Bangladeshs tour will now be delayed a week, NZC confirmed in a statement, due to ongoing challenges in the current Covid-19 environment and the need to allow visiting sides adequate preparation for international commitments.
It is Bangladeshs first visit to New Zealand since their 2019 tour was cut short following the mosque attacks, which players narrowly avoided the day before the scheduled third test at Christchurchs Hagley Oval.
Members of Pakistan’s cricket team met with some of the families of Christchurch mosque attack victims on Saturday.
The tour opener will now be a one-day international at Dunedins University Oval on Saturday, March 20, after Bangladesh complete a five-day training camp in Queenstown.
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The same venues will host the six mens matches as previously advertised, but on different dates.
It also means three more Twenty20 double-headers, with the White Ferns facing Australia and the Black Caps playing Bangladesh at Hamilton, Napier and Auckland.
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Alyssa Healy and the world champion Australian womens team will be daunting opponents for the White Ferns.
Eden Park will host the Bangladesh tour finale on April 1, before the White Ferns play three ODIs against Australia at Mt Maunganui.
Patrons who have already purchased tickets for games on which dates or venues have been changed have been notified of the amendments and their options, including full refunds if desired.
Both touring sides will need to complete 14 days of managed isolation on arrival in New Zealand.
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Bangladesh fans during the Cricket World Cup match against the Black Caps at The Oval in 2019.
ADJUSTED SCHEDULE
Bangladesh (men) v Black Caps:
March 20: 1st ODI at University Oval, Dunedin, 11am
March 23: 2nd ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 2pm
March 26: 3rd ODI at Basin Reserve, Wellington, 11am
March 28: 1st T20 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 2pm
March 30: 2nd T20 at McLean Park, Napier, 7pm
April 1: 3rd T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm
Australia (women) v White Ferns:
March 28: 1st T20 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 7.10pm
March 30: 2nd T20 at McLean Park, Napier, 3pm
April 1: 3rd T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 3pm
April 4: 1st ODI at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 11am
April 7: 2nd ODI at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 2pm
April 10: 3rd ODI at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 2pm
