Cricket bosses set to discuss fate of October’s T20 Cricket World Cup on Thursday
The likelihood of a T20 World Cup taking place this year will become clearer on Thursday when the 12 full members of the ICC discuss COVID-19’s impact on the October tournament.
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The status of this year’s Twenty20 World Cup will be discussed on Thursday when chief executives from the 12 full member nations join the ICC on a global conference call.
Cricket Australia boss Kevin Roberts will dial into the meeting as expectations grow that the October-November tournament will fall victim to COVID-19.
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The MCG is scheduled to host the final on November 15.
The Federal Government is in constant talks with Cricket Australia and the ICC and both organisations are still planning for the event to take place.
While the following Test series against India is far more important to CA’s finances, Roberts was mindful that ICC events help prop up cricketing nations around the world.
“It’s essentially on unless it’s not on,” Roberts said.
“But we don’t intend to put anyone’s health at risk. What we’re very conscious of is our responsibility on behalf of international cricket to do everything possible to stage the event.
“We mightn’t generate financial returns from that event that are as significant as the international cricket season, but what we do know is that the bigger returns from the broadcast rights that are generated by the ICC are very important to all of our counterparts around the cricket world.
“So it’s incumbent on us to do everything possible to stage and host the T20 World Cup.”
The ICC is acutely aware that it effectively needs approval from 17 different national governments for the World Cup to begin.
They are from the 16 competing countries, plus the ICC team, which is based in the UAE.
The ICC would require clearance to fly players and support staff from 15 other countries (plus ICC officials) into Australia, and then be able to cross domestic borders.
There are 45 games scheduled across six states in just 28 days. Complicating matters is the fact that hundreds of broadcast staff, match officials and global media would also require approval to attend.
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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested Australia and India should swap hosting rights of the next two T20 World Cups, scheduled for 2020 and 2021.
“If it can be done … (play) the T20 World Cup in India in October-November this year and in Australia in October-November next year,” Gavaskar told India Today.
Restructuring the World Test Championship – Australia and India are on top of the ladder, although several series have been cancelled – will also be debated at the ICC chief executive committee meeting.
Australian captain Tim Paine, 35, is desperately hoping next year’s Test final at Lord’s is not pushed back.
“We need to share knowledge and start to build a deep understanding of what it will take to resume international cricket,” ICC boss Manu Sawhney said.
“In relation to ICC events, including the T20 World Cup, we will continue to take advice from experts and authorities, including the Australian government.”