Mark Taylor: It’s time to end the ifs, buts and maybes regarding our summer of cricket

A crucial meeting that could shape the landscape of Australian cricket this summer is set to take place, and Mark Taylor has urged global administrators to not waste the chance.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has called for some certainty with regards to what cricket will be played when in 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Steve Christo

Mark Taylor hopes this week brings a final decision on cricket’s Twenty20 World Cup, suggesting if the Indian Premier League claims that spot on the calendar then Australians will be cleared to take part.

The International Cricket Council’s board meets on May 28 to discuss a host of COVID-19 dilemmas, including a revamped schedule and the fate of the men’s T20 World Cup.

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Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has called for some certainty with regards to what cricket will be played when in 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Steve Christo

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has flagged that a call on the tournament, which is slated to run from October 18 until November 15 in Australia, may potentially not come until August.

However players and administrators around the world are keen for some certainty and many expect the 16-team event will soon be postponed.

“It would probably be good (if a decision is made this week),” Taylor, a former national captain and CA director, told the Nine Network.

“Because then everyone can start planning and we can stop sitting here and saying ‘well ifs, buts or maybes’.

“My feeling is the World T20 won’t go ahead in Australia in October as planned. “Is it going to be viable to have a world tournament in October or November? The answer to that is probably no.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is eyeing the window set aside for the World Cup with interest, having indefinitely postponed its $A820 million domestic T20 league.

The BCCI has remained diplomatic, publicly suggesting they will not consider new IPL dates until the World Cup’s fate is decided, but there is no doubting the clout of the cricket superpower.

CA incurred the ire of India during last year’s bungled schedule negotiations, but Roberts and CA chairman Earl Eddings have since repaired the relationship. Roberts is desperate to ensure Virat Kohli’s team arrive for this summer’s planned Test tour that will deliver cash-strapped CA a much-needed boost of $A300 million.

Pat Cummins has 3.2 million reasons to hope world cricket can find a suitable window to play the IPL tournament. Picture: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

Pat Cummins, who was bought for a record $A3.2 million in last year’s IPL auction, is among the Australians understandably keen to take part in this year’s competition.

CA would ordinarily refuse to release players for a T20 league that clashes with Australia’s home summer, but these are not normal times and a stack of superstars could bypass the start of the Sheffield Shield season to play in the IPL.

“The Cricket Australia board will want to keep India happy. So they may want to let the players go to India if the IPL goes ahead,” Taylor said. “Because they want India to come here this summer and play, which will be our biggest summer in terms of dollars.

“That’s the sort of discussion going on. No doubt.” The UAE looms as a likely venue for the IPL if India is not in a position to host because of ongoing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Originally published as Mark Taylor: It’s time to end the ifs, buts and maybes regarding our summer of cricket