ZIMBABWE’S tour to Ireland, which was set for the first week of August, has been rescheduled to a later date to be announced due to the stipulations of health authorities in Ireland around quarantining requirements of the visiting team.
The two teams were scheduled to play a three-match One Day International (ODI) series which forms part of the Cricket World Cup Super League, on August 6, 8 and 11. This was supposed to be followed by a three-match T20I series which was supposed to begin on August 15 and end on the 20th.
This comes as a big blow to both countries as they were going into the series on the back of hard cricket as both of them are currently hosting opposition that is perceived to be better than them.
Ireland drew their ODI series against South Africa 1-1 with one match washed out. On the other hand, Zimbabwe was whitewashed 3-0 at home by Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe had rested Brendan Taylor from the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh to keep the right-handed top-order batsman fresh for the crucial tour of Ireland.
In a statement, Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said:
“Following the latest advice for the conditions around which scheduled matches may proceed in Northern Ireland – most notably the stipulations of health authorities around quarantining requirements of the incoming Zimbabwean squad – Cricket Ireland has today confirmed that the Zimbabwe Men’s tour to Ireland would need to be rescheduled.”
“We recognise that with Zimbabwe being on the UK Red List, but a Category 2 country in the Republic of Ireland classification, approval for the series was always conditional upon the evolving advice of the government.”
“This is a complicated process involving multiple stakeholders, and we are working closely with Sport Ireland, Sport NI, as well as health and sporting bodies in both jurisdictions to arrive at a new programme that will meet the requirements of both jurisdictions as quickly as possible.”
“It is now anticipated that the series will be held in August-September 2021, but that some venue changes may be required to accommodate the latest advice received.”
“These changes may have several knock-on effects with the broader playing schedule as well, and the outcome of these changes will be communicated in due course.”
“We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of Zimbabwe Cricket Board and all involved as we work through these latest challenges and will provide updates as soon as possible.”
Last year the Ireland cricket team was scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in April to play three One Day International (ODI) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches, but the games were cancelled after the Zimbabwe government banned all sporting activities to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
