Melbourne: Former Australia captain Mark Taylor does not foresee the T20 World Cup scheduled in October-November going ahead and wants the ICC to take a decision during its Board meeting this week.
Taylor also feels that if IPL takes place during the window the T20 World Cup was to be held, the Australian players are likely to be cleared by their Board to take part in the cash-rich league in India.
The ICC Board meets on May 28 to discuss a host of issues related to COVID-19 pandemic, including a revamped schedule and the fate of the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
“My feeling is the World T20 won’t go ahead in Australia in October as planned. Is it going to be viable to have a world tournament in October or November? The answer to that is probably no,” Taylor, also a former Cricket Australia (CA) director, was quoted as saying by ‘Nine Network’.
“It would probably be good (if a decision is made this week). Because then everyone can start planning and we can stop sitting here and saying ‘well ifs, buts or maybes’.”
CA chief executive Kevin Roberts has said that a call on the fate of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from October 18 to November 15, may potentially not come until August.
But players and administrators around the world are keen for some certainty and many have predicted that the 16-team event will soon be postponed.
There are reports that the BCCI is eyeing the October window for the IPL though officially it maintained, that it will not consider new dates of the cash-rich league until the T20 World Cup’s fate is decided.
Taylor said the CA wants to keep BCCI happy so the Australia players are likely to be cleared for the IPL if it happens in October.
Pat Cummins, who was bought for a record amount of Rs 15.50 crore in last year’s IPL auction, is among the Australians keen to take part in this year’s competition.
“The Cricket Australia board will want to keep India happy. So they may want to let the players go to India if the IPL goes ahead,” Taylor said.
“Because they want India to come here this summer and play, which will be our biggest summer in terms of dollars. That’s the sort of discussion going on. No doubt.”
Virat Kohli’s team is scheduled to arrive in Australia for a Test tour starting November, which will go along way in addressing CA’s financial woes triggered by teh COVID-19 pandemic. (agencies)
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Shakib says ICC guidelines on resumption of cricket need more clarity
DHAKA, May 24:
Banned Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan feels the ICC guidelines on ways to resume cricket leave a lot of unanswered questions and there are issues which require discussion before the sport returns from the coronavirus-forced hiatus.
As member nations ease restrictions imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council on Friday issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at getting the sport up and running around the world while at the same time maintaining the highest safety protocols.
The measures include the appointment of chief medical officers, a 14-day pre-match isolation training camp and use of gloves by umpires while handling the ball.
“Now we are hearing that it (COVID-19 virus) might spread around 12 feet, not just three or six. So does it mean the two batsmen can’t meet at the end of the over?” asked the cricketer who is serving a one-year ban for failing to report corrupt approaches.
“They will stand at their ends? Won’t there be any crowd in the stadium? Will the wicketkeeper stand afar? What would happen to close-in fielders? These things require discussions,” he was quoted as saying by ‘Prothom Alo’ newspaper.
The ICC also suggested format-specific training periods for bowlers all over the world, allowing them a minimum of 5-6 weeks of training, with the last three weeks involving bowling at match intensity in order to facilitate their return to T20Is.
The 24-year-old, however, said the ICC is unlikely to let cricket resume without assessing the situation properly.
“I don’t think they (ICC) will take a chance before they are very sure. Whatever it is, life comes first. I am sure they will think of safety first,” he said.
Shakib said he is spending time counting days for his return.
“I am counting days in two ways. One, when will corona be over, and the other, when will my suspension end. I am going through a tough time. Although there’s no cricket going on anywhere, I know that if it starts tomorrow, I won’t be able to play cricket.
“When you are restricted about something, whether others talk about it or not, you know yourself about what you are going through,” he said. (AGENCIES)
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