Advertisement

Chaos as ICC postpones T20 World Cup in Australia

australian associated press
·2-min read
Pictured here, Australia batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith out in the middle together.
David Warner and Steve Smith are likely to play a key role in Australia's T20 World Cup campaign. Pic: Getty

This year's Twenty20 World Cup in Australia became a high-profile casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday after the International Cricket Council postponed the tournament.

The sport's governing body (ICC) has been exploring contingency plans since hosts Cricket Australia (CA) acknowledged the logistical challenges involved in staging a 16-team tournament amid travel and other restrictions this year.

NAUGHTY: ‘Ball-tampering' drama for England after virus breach

HUGE: Big named snubbed for Aussie tour of England

‘NEVER SEEN THAT’: Ben Stokes blunder baffles fans

Consequently, there will be back-to-back men's T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 before the 50-overs World Cup in India in 2023.

"The decision ... was taken after careful consideration of all of the options available to us and gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups for fans around the world," ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said in a statement.

In the original calendar, India was scheduled to host the 2021 edition of the Twenty20 World Cup.

The ICC did not specify the hosting order and a spokesman said the governing body was yet to finalise, between India and Australia, who will host which edition.

The powerful Indian cricket board (BCCI) has resented a late call on the fate of this year's World Cup, saying the uncertainty created a scheduling headache for the cricket boards already bruised by the pandemic's financial impact.

Plans to push on with Indian Premier League

The BCCI has also been open about its plans to stage its delayed Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition in the now-vacant October-November slot.

"Our members now have the clarity they need around event windows to enable them to reschedule lost bilateral and domestic cricket," Sawhney said.

Seen here, Windies players celebrate their T20 World Cup final win in 2016.
The West Indies are the current holders of the T20 World Cup after beating England in the 2016 final. Pic: Getty

The governing body also moved the 2023 ODI World Cup in India to an October-November window from its original February-March slot.

"Moving the World Cup to a later window ... gives us a better chance of maintaining the integrity of the qualification process," Sawhney added.

"This additional time will be used to reschedule games that might be lost because of the pandemic ensuring qualification can be decided on the field of play."

The ICC said it would continue to evaluate situation while preparing for the 2021 women's 50-overs World Cup, which is scheduled in New Zealand from February 6.