Just hours after there was confirmation of an Australia-New Zealand clash for the final of the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia has announced a three-match T20 series against the Blackcaps scheduled for March next year.
In the series, there will be another episode of the Australian side spilt into the Test squad and T20I squad as the Test specialists will be in Pakistan for a three-match Test series.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said that they are making the move to send their players across the border to help their neighbour cope with the financial constraints arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apart from that, there is also the next edition of the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in Australia towards the end of the next year and the series will give them the opportunity to try more new faces with established players playing the longest format.
“New Zealand's home summer schedule has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and we are pleased to be able to support our closest neighbour with this T20I tour," Hockley said in a statement.
"As well as supporting New Zealand Cricket to host a full summer of international cricket, it will also be a great opportunity for our men's T20 team to ramp up their preparations ahead of our home T20 World Cup in October and November next year."
Notably, New Zealand are also scheduled to tour Australia for three-match long ODI series and only T20 at the start of the year. The series in Australia is schooled to finish on February 8 with the only T20I between the sides and the Australians will start their T20I series in New Zealand from March 17.