The International Cricket Council has told Reuters that it is continuing its preparations for the October-November Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, and has refuted claims on Wednesday that a decision has been made to postpone the game.
Media reports in India said ICC leaders had come to realize that due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event will be moved back to 2022.
The ICC board is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss some Covid-19 outbreak concerns, and members will also address the World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia from Oct. 18 to Nov. 15.
But that is impossible now because the global industry situation is not able to accept two world cups within six months, a worry for host Star Sports broadcaster. If the IPL happens in India in October, Star is apprehensive about broadcasting 2 IPL in 6 months and 2 World Cups in 2021.
When the IPL happens in India in October, Star is apprehensive about broadcasting 2 IPL in 6 months and 2 World Cups in 2021, sources confirm. That ensures that the finances of cricket do not get severely affected. Second, 2022 wasn’t a global phenomenon. Under this schedule, India will host a 2021 T20 World Cup, Australia will host the event in 2022, and India will host the 50th overall World Cup again in 2023.
Coming to bilateral cricket, it’s now almost transparent that bilateral cricket will soon resume. India is in negotiations for an August tour with South Africa, but this is not yet final. However, two of the biggest series in the world’s cricket calendar remain intact under the current scheduling India’s tour of Australia and England’s tour of India, and no need to tinker with them. Whether or not India will play in one venue in Australia would be a decision to take later. Still, the tour is very likely to go ahead with the team traveling 14 days forward to complete a quarantine period as per the Australian government regulations.
Reports suggest talks are already underway between Sourav Ganguly and Kevin Roberts on India’s travel schedule to Australia. As the ICC meeting takes center stage, it is clear that world cricket aims to come out of the lockdown and restart contests with a fresh perspective and a new guard.
