The planning process for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the Women’s Cricket World Cup is going on as scheduled, announced the ICC Chief Executive Committee last Thursday.
The Men’s World Cup is scheduled to play in Australia in the months of October and November while the Women’s edition of the 50 Over World Cup is due to take place in New Zealand on February and March 2021.
The announcement came after the ICC hosted a Chief Executives’ Committee meeting via conference call last Thursday as members came together to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sport.
“We agreed on the importance of taking well informed, responsible decisions in relation to the resumption of international cricket. The complexities involved in being able to stage ICC global events are extensive to ensure we protect the health and safety of everyone involved and they will be carefully considered before any decisions are arrived at in the best interests of the game.”
Manu Sawhney, CEO of ICC
However, there were many concerns by players and experts on the possibility of playing the world cups without allowing any spectators.
Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketer who holds the record for most runs in both tests and One Day Internationals, said there wouldn’t be any energy in the field without the fans.
http://gty.im/1161147027Speaking to ‘ESPN cricinfo’ Tendulkar said: “Can you imagine Roger Federer and [Rafael] Nadal playing on the centre court of Wimbledon with nobody there? It’s going to be such a strange thing to watch. Not just cricket, any sport needs to have that energy.”
The decision comes after the England and Wales cricket board postponed all professional cricket until 1st July due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Andrew Fidel Fernando, a cricket analyst, said the game without any fans would only be a plausible option as a last resort.
“Cricket Australia would be very reluctant to consider this option. They will be missing a lot on ticket sales, given the fact that the grounds on Australia like the MCG and the Gabba are very huge. But, if it’s a case of playing or not playing at all, it will be a plausible option to consider as a last resort”
Andrew Fidel Fernando, speaking to Birmingham Eastside
The total Covid 19 cases in Australia as of 29th July is 6,746 with 90 deaths according to the statistics of John Hopkins University.