MUMBAI: Even as speculatiom is rife (particularly in the Indian media) that the the COVID-19 pandemic will force the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia to be cancalled / postponed, the country’s sports minister, Richard Colbeck, has said the tournament could still be possible. And that too with spectators, though with limits on the numbers allowed.
Asked whether he was confident of Australia hosting the T20 World Cup this year, Colbeck told Sportstar: “As Australia’s sports minister, I join with cricket fans around Australia in looking forward to welcoming the Indian squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
“The federal government, along with the International Cricket Council and state governments, continue to work towards ensuring the event proceeds.”
Asked further if the logistics could be managed in putting up a global event even as the coronavirus showed no signs of abating in countries like India, the minister told the sports magazine: “The Australian government is taking a strong and decisive approach in responding to COVID-19 based on the latest and best medical advice. It has led the way in flattening the curve of the pandemic and subsequently remains a fitting host for an international sporting spectacle. Australian states and territories are responsible for implementing arrangements regarding the resumption of sport in each jurisdictions. This may result in restrictions on spectator numbers – but in what capacity is not yet clear.”
The minister also said that the government agencies were working in the development of their biosecurity measures for resumption of cricket.
His comment would have come as a shot in the arm for the International Cricket Council (ICC), a day before its board met Wednesday via teleconference to debate on the fate of the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be keenly following the developments since a postponement would force open a window to conduct the IPL.
