Australia’s fifth T20I against New Zealand brought forward to allow team to fly back on Sunday night

Cricket Australia will bring their T20 side home from New Zealand on a charter flight to avoid players quarantining for a second time in a month.

Aaron Finch’s side are currently playing a five-game series against the Black Caps in New Zealand.

The players toured on the understanding they would need to quarantine for two weeks on the way in — but not on the way home.

However, a COVID-19 outbreak in Auckland changed the scenario for the touring party.

The outbreak prompted Australian authorities to declare Auckland a “red zone” — meaning stepping foot in the city would require them to quarantine on arrival home.

New Zealand Cricket then changed the schedule, moving matches from Auckland and Tauranga to Wellington.