Cricket news round-up – March 13: IPL 2020 likely to be played behind closed doors

Cricket news round-up – March 13: IPL 2020 likely to be played behind closed doors

IPL 2019 12 Mumbai Indians MI champions

The affect of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 is becoming increasingly apparent in cricket, with the IPL now likely to be played behind closed doors, while Australia Women’s tour of South Africa was cancelled and the India-South Africa series was barred for the public.

IPL 2020 likely to be played behind closed doors

The IPL governing council will meet on Saturday to discuss the future of the IPL in the midst of the novel coronavirus Covid-19.

The IPL will have as many as 60 overseas players, travelling from different parts of the world, some of it affected by the pandemic, and the government ministries have advised the IPL to call the tournament off, and if not, adhere to the precautionary measures.

“It is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not,” Dammu Ravi, the spokesperson on Covid-19 issues from the Ministry of External Affairs, was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “And then we will be open to the idea, if they really want to do it. Our advice would be not to do it at this time, but if they still want to go ahead it is their decision.”

Australia Women’s tour of South Africa delayed

Australia and South Africa’s limited-overs series, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is, will not go ahead as scheduled as a precautionary measure against Covid-19.

The tour was supposed to begin on March 22, but now has been delayed indefinitely. It becomes the first series in cricket to be officially delayed due to raging pandemic.

Australia has, at the time of writing, 122 confirmed cases of Covid-19, more than the 17 reported in South Africa, and one of fans who watched the T20 World Cup final at the MCG has been confirmed to have contracted Covid-19.

India-South Africa ODIs to be played behind closed doors

The BCCI has confirmed that the two remaining ODs in the series between India and South Africa will be played behind closed doors due as per government advisory on the novel coronavirus.

“You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event,” the Government of India release read. “In the event the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of people, including spectators.”

The BCCI had, ahead of the first ODI, issued a set of guidelines for the players to follow, including avoiding handshakes, and engaging with fans or taking selfies.

Nyeem Young, Jayden Seals called up by CPL teams

Two of West Indies’ brightest players of the U19 World Cup 2020 have been picked up by Caribbean Premier League franchises from the Cricket West Indies Emerging Pool.

Barbados Tridents signed the all-rounder Young, while Trinbago Knight Riders got the much-vaunted signature of the express pacer Seales.

As per CPL regulations, every team must have two of these players, with the players playing a minimum of five games to an emerging player.