Cricket news round-up – March 27: World Cup qualifiers postponed by ICC

ICC postponed World Cup qualifying events scheduled to be held before June 30. The contracted players of PCB decided to donate collectively to help Pakistan combat the COVID-19. Jos Buttler sounded optimistic about a curtailed IPL 2020 in a recent interview.

ICC postpones World Cup Qualifiers

Among the worldwide Corona outbreak and global ban on any kind of sporting activities, the qualifiers for the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2023 50-over World Cup due before June 30 were postponed indefinitely by the ICC. Along with those ICC also postponed the regional qualifiers and multiple ODI and List-A series for the Associates. These included League Two ODI Tri-series in the USA, ODI Tri-series in Namibia and Papua New Guinea. The various regional qualifiers were supposed to held in Kuwait, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, and Finland

Along with Men’s cricket, the Qualifier for 2021 Women’s 50-Over World Cup is also scheduled from July 3 to 19 in Sri Lanka. ICC is still monitoring the situation before taking a final call on the same. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said, “Work will continue on contingency plans and options for both men’s qualification pathways. We will provide updates in due course on these plans and decisions on the staging of the remaining events this year.”

Pakistan contracted players donate 5 Million

Pakistani cricketers who are centrally contracted by PCB decided to collectively contribute PKR 5 million to the government’s emergency fund to fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan. Along with the players, senior PCB officials are also contributing their one day or two days salary depending on their ranks. Above this, PCB as an organization will match the contribution of its staff to the government fund.

Pakistan now has more than a thousand cases of COVID-19 patients and going through a semi-lockdown phase with the number of cases growing rapidly as is the trend with most of the countries in the world. All the Pakistani players are currently in self-isolation and the foreign coaching staff have returned to their home country.

Lauren Winfield and Amy Jones stuck in Australia

England national team players Lauren Winfield and Amy Jones are currently in Australia and can not go back to England due to the COVID-19 situation. Winfield was on her honeymoon at Hamilton Island along with her partner Courtney Hill whereas Jones is stuck at Perth. Their chances to return home are limited due to the closing of the borders.

Both of them faced multiple flight cancellations and reschedule but could not get clearance for a possible travel date. The two players are in constant touch and plan to ensure that both of them can travel back home once the opportunity comes.

Buttler still hopeful about IPL

England wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler is still optimistic about a curtailed Indian Premier League 2020 post the COVID-19 pandemic. Buttler told Sky Sports, “We saw, initially, that it was going to be postponed. It’s very hard to see this changing in the immediate future, so I don’t see that as a possibility at the moment.”

With the Coronavirus situation, the chance of IPL 2020 taking place looks really slim. This does not only a disappointment for the Indian cricket for the cricketers and fans all over the globe it is saddening. Buttler said,”Obviously, it’s such a massive tournament for world cricket, so hopefully some of it can go ahead – perhaps a shortened tournament.”

Regarding his isolation days, Buttler said, “Obviously, very strange circumstances, but it’s actually quite nice to spend some time at home, be with our little girl and actually just be a dad for a bit. I’ve also been doing some Pilates with my Mrs, in my cricket gear.”