Uncertainty lurks over New Zealand team’s Upcoming Tours

The New Zealand men’s national cricket team’s June-July tours are facing serious doubts as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally.

“Clearly, this situation is extremely disappointing for everyone involved in sport but, given the bigger picture, and the terrible toll COVID-19 is taking worldwide, we need to look after not only our own people but the greater community good,” Chief executive David White was quoted as saying.

The Kiwis were scheduled to tour Ireland in June and West Indies in July for playing 3 ODIs and 3 T20s against both the teams. Their Bangladesh Test tour scheduled for August also seems unlikely to happen.

The women’s national team of New Zealand were set to tour Sri Lanka this month, but owing to the current circumstances, it was delayed.

White said they were fortunate that their home summer window money-making had complete before the pandemic hit the world.

Since the cricket activities have come to an indefinite hiatus, the income of the whole cricket board has been painfully affected. However, there hasn’t been any pay-cuts of the NZ staff members.

“We take our duty of care as an employer seriously and, at this juncture, want to avoid any changes to our employee headcount or remuneration levels,” White said.

“Our current focus is very much on ensuring the future sustainability of cricket in New Zealand.”, he added.

New Zealand has so far registered over 800 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a loss of 1 life.