Australia’s tour of Bangladesh postponed amid coronavirus pandemic

Australia’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh has now been postponed due to the massive coronavirus outbreak. The Aussies were scheduled to play a couple of Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka, starting June 11. However, Cricket Australia (CA) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have come to a conclusion that the series won’t be possible in the global situation of crisis.

The matches were a part of the World Test Championship (WTC), the final of which is set to take place in June 2021. But now with a number of series being postponed, even the final could get delayed. The series was also a chance for Australia to topple India to the top of the points table.

Health of our people is a priority: Cricket Australia CEO

“Postponing the tour is regrettable, but I would like to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the open, honest and responsible discussions that led us to this mutually-agreed position,” Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Cricket Australia, was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.

“The health of our people and communities is the number one priority for both Boards and that is reflected in the action we have taken in postponing the two Test matches,” he added.

Earlier this month, Tim Paine, the Australian Test captain, said that unless a proper rescheduling of the postponed games can be arranged, the WTC final may have to be delayed as well.

“I hope they don’t push it back too far for my sake, that’s for sure. Some series have been cancelled and whether ones going forward are going to be continually cancelled or we’re going to postpone them (is uncertain),” Paine, who will be turning 36 this December, said.

Earlier in March, England’s Test series against Sri Lanka couldn’t take place due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Even Bangladesh’s second Test versus Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi had to be shelved due to the grave situation worldwide.

The Tigers have had a contracting campaign in the WTC as compared to the Aussies. The team, captained by Mominul Haque, has lost all their three matches pretty comprehensively. Even as in November 2019, India beat them 2-0, Pakistan defeated them in the first Test in Rawalpindi.