The coronavirus may have struck shortly before the English cricket season was due to start but it threatens to have major implications for the game worldwide. Reports AFP.
English officials still believe they can fit a full international programme of three-Test series against both the West Indies and Pakistan, as well as one-day internationals with Australia and Ireland, into a season that won’t start until July 1 at the earliest. But there is now an expectation matches will have to be played behind closed doors, in the short-term at least, as a way of stopping the spread of COVID-19.
That would, however, still allow the England and Wales Cricket Board to honour lucrative broadcast contracts and avoid the nightmare scenario of a completely wiped out season that could cost the organisation £380 million ($463 million).
Below AFP Sport looks at the key issues confronting cricket amid the pandemic.
Will teams go on tour?
West Indies and Pakistan, two of crickets less well-off major teams, have both made encouraging noises about touring England, subject to health concerns and appear to ready to factor a 14-day quarantine on arrival in Britain, because of UK government regulations, into their planning.
What will cricket look like?
Even if a rescheduled series between England and the West Indies starts in July, the game itself will look very different.
Not only will there be no spectators but wicket celebrations such as ‘high fives’ are set to be banned according to International Cricket Council guidelines issued last week.
Umpires have also been instructed to wear gloves to minimise the risk of infection, with bowlers no longer handing their cap and sweater to officials for the same reason.
What will happen to the Twenty20 World Cup and IPL?
An ICC board meeting on Thursday May 28, could see the men’s Twenty20 World Cup, due to held in Australia from October 18, postponed.
Problems over flying in 16 teams to Australia may be reason enough to delay the event by a year.
That would allow the already postponed franchise Indian Premier League, the world’s wealthiest T20 competition, to go ahead in its place.
What does this mean for women’s cricket?
The women’s game was riding the crest of a wave after a crowd of over 86,000 in Melbourne saw hosts Australia beat India in the final of the T20 World Cup in March, shortly before global sport went into lockdown.
But Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket, has accepted her side of the game may have to be sacrificed completely in order for more lucrative men’s matches to go ahead this season.
But there are hopes a series with South Africa could still take place in September. ♦
