Afghanistan Test in Australia under threat if T20 World Cup does not go ahead
Should, as expected, this year’s T20 World Cup be cancelled or postponed, the knock on effects may prevent Perth hosting Afghanistan, and in turn even put a question over Brisbane’s India Test.
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Brisbane should start getting nervous about hanging on to the first Test against India at the Gabba as it becomes increasingly difficult — and expensive — for the planned Afghanistan Test to proceed in Perth.
The Weekend Australian confirmed on Friday that the Perth Stadium is guaranteed compensation if no Test is played at the venue. Sources said that would amount to a six-figure sum, at a time when the game is sacking staff and seeking savings in every department amid a cash crisis that cost chief executive officer Kevin Roberts his job earlier this week.
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The difficulties of scheduling cricket during the pandemic are enormous and so many factors make it difficult for the first-ever Test for Afghanistan in Australia starting on November 21 to go ahead.
Australia’s biggest stars, including David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins, look likely to be in India for the IPL, which has its eyes on a window from September 26 to November 8 but is awaiting next month’s decision on the T20 World Cup’s future.
The World Cup is scheduled for that period in Australia, but even interim Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley – until a few days ago CEO of the World Cup — admits the logistics of getting 15 sides into Australia and moving them around will be difficult.
If the World Cup went ahead Afghanistan would be here and ready to play on November 21 in Perth at little cost to Australian cricket.
If it doesn’t, CA is faced with the extra cost of flying the Afghanistan squad out, possibly putting them up in isolation for a fortnight and then flying them home for a match that will not attract many fans and is unlikely to play out over five days.
If the World Cup does not go ahead the Australian stars who play in the IPL are almost certainly facing a two-week isolation period, which would lift around the start of the first Test.
There is talk the Indian and Australian players could return from the IPL at the same time, enter isolation and emerge in time to properly prepare for the first Test and would even allow the teams to play the T20 series, which at this stage is scheduled for October.
India will not want to fly out for that series then return for the Test summer, but would be happier if they were combined.
CA said on Friday there was every intention for the Afghanistan game to proceed despite mounting difficulties.
There are, however, problems everywhere you look. Not only is the Perth Stadium guaranteed a Test, cricket also has a contract with broadcasters to put on the full fixture this summer. The Perth Test has proved a ratings bonanza for Channel 7 and Fox Cricket because the time difference sees two sessions played in prime time on the east coast.
If Afghanistan don’t come the broadcasters will demand compensation.
The uncertainty of the situation does nothing to ease the irritation of administrators, the stadium authority or the government in Western Australia.
Chief executive of the WACA, Christina Matthews, launched a fierce attack on CA when the body learned it would be hosting Afghanistan and not India. Part of that fury came from the fact head office had initially listed the game for the WACA and not Perth Stadium without consulting the local administration.
Holding a game at the WACA involves putting in costly temporary infrastructure and invokes the compensation clause.
Matthews, who some believe should be the new chief executive at CA, did not hide her disappointment at the time of the announcement.
“All the metrics associated with cricket over the last two years see us surpass Brisbane in every area; whether that’s crowds, broadcast ratings, even better rainfall at that time of year, more corporate seats — just so many indicators — and a brand-new stadium,’’ she said.
Originally published as Afghanistan Test in Australia under threat if T20 World Cup does not go ahead