Cricket Australia (CA) is set to discuss the future of T20 World Cup with ICC on Friday (May 8). As per a report in The Times of India, CA will do a teleconference with the apex board to discuss the ‘prospect of hosting the tournament’. The Australian government had sealed the country’s border last month. The ongoing restriction ends in September.
Despite that, CA remains optimistic that it will be able to host the tournament as scheduled. “CA remains optimistic the 2020-21 men’s and women’s home summer – scheduled to begin with the men’s T20 World Cup in October and November – will proceed, whether in empty stadia if social distancing restrictions remain in place or as relevant crowd guidelines allow,” a release from the board in April read as.
As per the report, CA is likely to buy more time in Friday’s meeting. Australia is scheduled to host the tournament from October 18 to November 15. The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be played in India (in 2021) and there could be a case that CA might ask India to host this year’s edition should the government lift the ongoing restrictions. The lockdown in India ends on May 17.
As of May 7, there have been more than 6500 cases in Australia. More than 90 people have lost their lives due to the virus. Australia had announced a lockdown in March.
Cricket Australia managed to stage the first ODI against New Zealand on March 13 behind the closed doors. A day later, both the boards decided to postpone the rest of two ODIs and the T20I series due to the travel restrictions imposed by the NZ government. CA was forced to cancel Sheffield Shield and the tour of South Africa (women’s team) due to coronavirus outbreak.
