At a time when the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 over the last two months has affected cricket across the globe and completely paralyzed it’s functioning, the Incompetence of governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) in this difficult period has left member board’s utterly disappointed, Cricket Age exclusively learns.
Member boards of the ICC aren’t saying this openly yet but questions seem to be flying around already about what the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) contribution to Covid-19 is going to be?
The ICC hasn’t said a word yet on making any contribution towards its full or associate member in the backdrop of the virus outbreak. As member boards face potential bankruptcy and the grim possibility of not being able to pay their cricketers, they’re yet to hear from the governing body.
Cricket Age understands that at least three members of the ICC expect the parent body to act in the wake of the crisis and are also expected to write to them in this regard.
“Shouldn’t the ICC be saying something in these distressing times other than talking about men and women’s cricket rights?” a top official of a superpower cricket board told Cricket Age in terms of anonymity.
Should there be no cricket played between now and the end of the year, which is a possibility the industry is getting increasingly wary about, it will lead certain cricket boards to sizable, inevitable bankruptcy.
“As a world governing body, it’s their responsibility to come out with a bailout package at least for financially weak and associate members. other than India and to an extent England, the rest of the cricket world will be on a hand-to-mouth existence if this scenario continues. However, it is surprising that the ICC is still keeping silence” the official added.
As apart from New Zealand and Sri Lanka all other cricket playing nations have suffered big time with Coronavirus crisis, the resumption of cricket seems a distant reality.
“England, India, South Africa and Australia all have been hit hard with the virus crisis. In this scenario, how you can expect cricket any time soon. The T20 world cup scheduled in October-November, is already beginning to look like a non-starter. So, now it’s ICC responsibility to come out with a bailout plan” the official added further.
The ICC is scheduled to held a conference with all it’s members on April 23.
