The World Cup finalists will meet again in March in the T20I series with three games

By Talat Masood Updated: Nov 26, 2021, 16:14 IST

Melbourne: The Australia and New Zealand T20 World Cup finalists will continue their trans-Tasman rivalry in the shortest format when they compete in a three-game series in Wellington on March 17th.

Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Friday that the two teams will clash in Wellington and Napier in three T20Is in New Zealand on March 17, 18 and 20. Australia must send a separate T20I squad to New Zealand, as they did in 2021 when the two teams played a five-game series while the Australian test team was set to play in South Africa, although the test tour was later canceled due to CA's covid concerns.

Justin Langer missed the New Zealand tour where Senior Assistant Andrew McDonald took over the team. David Warner, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also missed the five-match series in New Zealand. Everyone would likely miss the series next year too, as they are required in Pakistan as the three tests take place between March 3rd and 25th. An ODI series with three games and a one-off T20I will follow from March 29 in Pakistan.

CA confirmed that another T20I squad will be selected without the first choice playtesters, with the Pakistan Tests being a priority. CA chief Nick Hockley said the series is important to both nations, despite being added to the calendar alongside the Pakistan tour. "New Zealand's Home Summer Schedule has been heavily influenced by the pandemic and we are excited to support our closest neighbor with this T20I tour," said Hockley

"In addition to helping New Zealand Cricket host a full summer of international cricket, this will also be a great opportunity for our Men's T20 Team to prepare for our home ICC T20 Men's World Cup in October and next November Year to accelerate. " David White, CEO of NZC, was grateful for CA's assistance with the New Zealand closed border, which was causing problems with teams getting there. "The effects of Covid-19 have brought a number of changes to our schedule - and we would like to thank Cricket Australia for agreeing to send a team through Tasman on such short notice," said White.

"NZC and CA have always enjoyed a close relationship and we appreciate the effort they have made to help us." The two teams will also play a three-game ODI series and a one-off T20I in Australia in late January-early February, though border restrictions on this tour could still cause complications as the opening game is scheduled for January 30th in Perth. Western The border with Australia could still be closed at this time, depending on the vaccination rates.