World Cup finalists set to collide in three-match T20I series in March

Finalists of the 2021 T20 World Cup, New Zealand and Australia will play a three-match T20I series in New Zealand in March 2022, the two boards confirmed on Friday (November 12). However, Australia will be without their first-choice Test stars considering they will be involved in a three-match Test series in Pakistan at the same time.

Australia did something similar earlier this year when they sent a separate squad for a five-match T2OI series in New Zealand, while the Test team was scheduled to travel to South Africa. However, the Test tour was eventually cancelled due to Cricket Australia's covid concerns

Australia are scheduled to play three Tests, as many ODIs and a one-off T2OI in Pakistan in March. Meanwhile, the three T20I against New Zealand will be played on March 17, 18 and 20. The first two games will be played in Wellington, while the final T20I will be held in Napier.

"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," said CA chief executive Nick Hockley.

"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 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in October and November next year."

NZC chief executive David White added: "The impact of Covid-19 has meant a number of changes to our schedule - and we want to place on record our thanks to Cricket Australia for agreeing to send a team across the Tasman at such short notice. NZC and CA have always enjoyed a close relationship and we really appreciate the lengths they've gone to in order to help us."

The Black Caps are already scheduled to play a three-match ODI series and a solitary T20I in Australia in January-February.

The Australian men's T20I tour will coincide with the women's ODI World Cup, which will also be played in New Zealand. NZC also confirmed their full international schedule for the 2021-22 summer, with two-Test series against Bangladesh and South Africa and limited-overs matches against the Netherlands, while their women's side have a five-match ODI series against India before the ODI World Cup.

New Zealand got the better of England in the first semi-final, while Australia defeated Pakistan almost in a similar fashion on Thursday. The two teams will now meet on Sunday to fight for their maiden T20 World Cup title.