Australia tour of NZ and SA News !

There were confusions raising on the international tours of Australia to New Zealand and South Africa, as due to COVID-19 pandemic. But, now it is confirmed that Australian cricket team is touring to New Zealand and South Africa for T20I and Test Series respectively. These two tours were confirmed, by Cricket Australia via twitter, announcing their squads for respective tours. Now, let us take a look into the squads.

During last year, New Zealand Cricket team have announced their home summer schedule for 2020/21, which had the tour of Australia in it. Also, it was reported that New Zealand team would be touring Australia, which was revoked due to COVID-19 quarantine issues. Now, Australian cricket team is scheduled to tour New Zealand for a 5 match T20I Series. This series will begin from 22nd February of this year and concludes on 7th of March. 

Australian cricket team have named 18 member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand. It consists of, Aaron Finch (c), Mathew Wade (vc), Ashton Agar, Jason Beherendoreff, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanvir Sangha, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

In this squad, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, Tanvir Sangha and Josh Philippe has been picked due to their recent performances in the 10th Season of Big Bash league. 

2020/21 AUS tour of NZ Schedule :

1st T20I - 22nd February, Christchurch

2nd T20I - 25th February, Dunedin

3rd T20I - 3rd March, Wellington

4th T20I - 5th March, Auckland

5th T20I - 7th March, Mount Manganui

After this, there were doubts over the tour of South Africa by Aussies for a three match test series. But, now it is confirmed by the squads announced by Australia. Both the teams, would be dying to win all the three matches, as it impacts their qualification to the final place of ICC World Test Championship. Especially, for Australia, as they are coming back from a shocking series loss against India, at their home. 

This squad consists of, Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Nesser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson and David Warner.

This will be held after the conclusion of New Zealand series. Also, it is reported that Cricket Australia is satisfied over the arrangements made by Cricket South Africa over bio bubble protocols. Even though, the squad has been announced, still the discussion on the tour are ongoing.