Exploring option of restarting cricket with Australia-New Zealand series, reveals David White

Having become one of the very few countries in the world to have successfully contained the spread of the novel coronavirus, New Zealand have declared the re-opening of malls and cafes from Thursday (May 14), slowly but steadily bracing themselves to get back to normalcy. What this, in turn, means is the possibility of sport - and in specific cricket - restarting in one way or the other in the country and David White, the CEO of New Zealand cricket, has revealed that the board has already started exploring the possibility.

According to White, restarting international cricket with the Trans-Tasman rivalry would be ‘terrific’  and he went on to reveal that he has already held talks with Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Cricket Australia, regarding the same.

"I've talked to Kevin Roberts about that. A Tasman bubble would be terrific if it did eventuate," White told Sydney Morning Herald, reported News18.

"...it would present some opportunities going forward. But I think the key is to keep an open mind and be flexible so if opportunities do arise we can take them.

"We haven't talked specifics really. What we have talked about is conceptually the possibility of playing each other and that's where we are at the moment."

Earlier, a report also suggested that Australia are planning to restart training towards the end of May, following all social distancing guidelines whilst also seeking the advice of health professionals. Incidentally, the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney on March 13 was the last international cricket match that was played before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the sport to a standstill.