Second Netherlands-New Zealand T20I preponed to August 5

The second T20I between the hosts Netherlands and visitors New Zealand will now take place on August 5 instead of August 6. The decision was taken by both the boards mutually after the cancellation of a linking flight that interfered with New Zealand’s travel to the West Indies, where they are due to play three T20Is and as many ODIs beginning August 10.

As a result, the two T20Is, which were initially scheduled with a gap of one day, will now be played back-to-back on August 4 and 5. A lengthy tour of Europe that started in England in May is currently in its midst for New Zealand. After playing two warm-up games, they played three Tests against England before travelling to Ireland for three ODIs.

Clinching the ODI series 3-0, they started the T20I series with a bang and are currently leading 1-0. Following this, the Kiwis will take a flight to Scotland for two T20Is and an ODI before proceeding to the Netherlands. Even with the second T20I’s advancement, New Zealand will only have a four-day break before facing West Indies in Jamaica for the first T20I.

A tight schedule for New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup

Taking the hectic schedule into consideration, New Zealand has effectively rotated their playing combination during the European tour. They gave Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls permission to fly back home after the ODIs against Ireland, while Will Young and Matt Henry joined their respective teams in the County Championship.

Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, and regular skipper Kane Williamson, who all competed in the three-match Test series against England, have been rested for the series against Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The senior pros have been crucial members of the team, and thus the management would require ample attention to their schedule ahead of the World Cup.

For the West Indies tour, it is anticipated that the seasoned players will join the team. In September, the Kiwis will also visit Australia for three ODIs, which will be followed by a tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh at home in October before the T20 World Cup 2022, where they will open their campaign on October 22 against the defending champions and hosts Australia.