Amid coronavirus pandemic followed by worldwide lockdown, cricketing boards are exploring all options to organise cricket tournaments or bilateral series. Recently, the West Indies team landed in England to prepare for the Test series which is scheduled to begin from July 9.
However, fans are eyeing on the 2020 biggest competition; the T20 World Cup, which is supposed to take place in Australia later this year. But Earl Eddings, the Cricket Australia (CA) chairman on Tuesday gave hints that the global showpiece event may face hurdles.
Eddings spoke to local media and said that it would be ‘unrealistic’ to hold the T20I World Cup this year due to the ongoing global pandemic. He stated that because of the travel restrictions, the happening of the global tournament would be difficult.
“While it hasn’t been formally called off this year, or postponed, trying to get 16 countries into Australia in the current world, where most countries are still going through COVID spiking, I think it’s unrealistic, or it’s going to be very, very difficult,” said Eddings as quoted by HT.
“The ICC are having meetings as we speak, it’s a bit of a movable feast at the moment,” he added.
Although, the new interim chief of CA Nick Hockley, dropped the ball in ICC’s court saying that the international apex body will take a final call.
“We’ve got a fantastic local organising committee who are busy preparing for every eventuality and the decision that will come,” said Hockley.
Earlier, CA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Roberts’ official resigned, after his decisions during the pandemic which included 20 per cent pay cuts and 80 per cent staff being laid off, created a lot of stir in Australian cricket.
At present, Hockley is the Chief Executive of the ICC T20 World Cup and also supervised the Women’s T20 World Cup tournament earlier this year.
“It’s been a privilege to lead and serve the sport I love as CEO of Cricket Australia. Our team of staff and players are outstanding people who contribute so much to the game, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together,” said Roberts as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“I’d like to thank the army of volunteers in communities across the country who are the lifeblood of our sport, enabling kids to experience the game and to dream about emulating their heroes in our national teams. As a lifelong and passionate member of the cricket community, I look forward to seeing the game thrive into the future,” he added.
Roberts came as a replacement of long-standing CEO James Sutherland who had to resign after 17 years of service due to the infamous ball-tampering scandal. Since then under Robert’s tenure, the Aussie cricket team bounced back from the horrendous blemish. Under Robert’s time, Australian side even retained the Ashes in England last year before ruling home summer across formats.
