New Zealand Cricket defers Pakistan tour; Australia confirms extended tour

New Zealand Cricket chief executive, Martin Snedden, today formally advised the Pakistan Cricket Board that New Zealand would not contemplate travel to Pakistan in the next month due to ongoing concerns about security in the region.

This effectively cancels the tour of three Tests and three One-Day Internationals which was scheduled to take place from 12 September to 24 October. The two nations will now work towards rescheduling the tour at a later date.

"We have acknowledged that under the International Cricket Council Future Tours Programme we are obliged to reschedule the Pakistan tour as soon as is reasonably possible. With the Pakistan Cricket Board we are actively seeking to reschedule the tour," Snedden said.

Snedden indicated there was a possibility a rescheduled tour might take place next year prior to the ICC KnockOut tournament in September.

New Zealand Cricket initially held the CLEAR Black Caps in Singapore for 48 hours following the terrorist attacks on the United States 16 days ago. The side, enroute to Pakistan, was subsequently recalled.

Meanwhile the Australian Cricket Board has confirmed a revised itinerary for the CLEAR Black Caps' Australian tour which includes four warm-up games prior to the first Test in Brisbane from 8 November.

The games are:

16-19 October v Queensland Second XI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane
21-23 October v ACT Invitation XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra
26-28 October v QCA President's XI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane
31 Oct-3 Nov v Queensland at Gabba, Brisbane

"New Zealand Cricket is grateful for the cooperation of the Australian Cricket Board in arranging three additional games for the CLEAR Black Caps. These matches will provide a good build-up to the first Test, allowing our players to adapt to Australian conditions, establish form, and prepare for a gruelling series after a lay-off of some months," Snedden said.

New Zealand Cricket has also agreed to one further minor change to the original itinerary. The CLEAR Black Caps were to play a one day game against a Prime Minister's XI on November 14. This game has been rescheduled to December 6.

The CLEAR Black Caps squad to contest the three Test series against Australia will be named on Friday 5 October. Details of time/venue will be confirmed early next week.

The squad will assemble in Christchurch on Thursday 11 October and travel to Brisbane on Friday 12 October.