Australia Test tour of Bangladesh postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

Tim Paine recently said that it would not take 'Einstein' to conclude that the series would not take place

Cricket Australia said they will work with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to find later dates for the Test series. Getty Images

Australia's Test tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for June, has been officially postponed as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Cricket Australia confirmed on Thursday.

Cricket, like all major sport, has gone into lockdown because of the Covid-19 outbreak, with tours, series and tournaments postponed or cancelled altogether.

Australia Test captain Tim Paine recently said it would not take "Einstein" to conclude that the series against Bangladesh would not take place.

With international travel suspended in most countries to contain the spread of the virus, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Cricket Australia decided it was impossible for the tour to go ahead.

The two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka between June 11 and 23 were part of the International Cricket Council's newly launched World Test Championship.

"Postponing the tour is regrettable, but I would like to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the open, honest and responsible discussions that led us to this mutually-agreed position," CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts said.

"As we know, the global cricket calendar is very busy but we will do everything we can to honour our commitment to Bangladesh and will continue to work with the BCB on an agreed date."

Plenty of eyes remain on the latest developments from the Indian Premier League, the lucrative Twenty20 franchise tournament which has already been pushed back weeks and is set for a shortened season if it ever gets under way.