Like every other sports team, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is continuously monitoring the coronavirus status in global and providing the latest update to the players.
While New Zealand Women’s national cricket team just ended their journey in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, New Zealand men’s national cricket team is ready to travel to Australia for the three-match ODI series.
After the upcoming Australia tour, New Zealand men’s team will play the home three-match T20I series against Australia.
While IPL 2020 will run between 29th March and 24th May 2020, around six Kiwi cricketers will participate in that tournament in India. These New Zealand players are James Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians), Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings).
Some White Ferns’ cricketers can also participate during the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 in India, which can be played during the last week of IPL 2020 (playoff stages).
While more than 90,000 worldwide people have been affected due to coronavirus, around 29 people have already been reported in India on this issue, including 16 Italian tourists.
New Zealand Cricket is monitoring updates from the World Health Organisation
The NZC is taking seriously on this global issue and providing the updating news to the players on this matter.
NZC Head of Public Affairs Richard Boock told PTI, “All New Zealand players, men and women, are being updated on latest developments, including best practice and preventive measures, as new information comes to hand.”
Boock further added, “NZC is in constant communication with its chief medical officer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Health, and Sport NZ, and is monitoring updates from the World Health Organisation to ensure compliance with best practice.”
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is confident that the IPL 2020 will run without any interruption due to the coronavirus.
Observing the present situation, the players can be advised to avoid public gatherings during the IPL 2020. The England cricketers have already decided to avoid handshakes during the ongoing tour in Sri Lanka.