THE tourist match between Somerset and New Zealand in Taunton will no longer be taking place this summer, according to New Zealand coach Gary Stead.
Somerset were due to welcome the number one Test team in the world rankings to the Cooper Associates County Ground in May, ahead of New Zealand's two Test matches against England in June.
The match was to be played on May 25-28 - in between Somerset's County Championship fixtures away to Gloucestershire (May 20-23) and at home to Hampshire (June 3-6).
However, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the New Zealand coach had confirmed that the planned tour match against Somerset would not take place "due to issues around bio-secure bubbles".
Instead, the tourists' preparations for the Test series would include an intra-squad match, with the help of some Hampshire 2nd XI players.
Somerset County Cricket Club has been contacted for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here