Big question marks continue to hang over this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia after the ICC postponed its decision regarding the event to June.
With the seventh instalment of the competition still due to start in October, the ICC was to make an announcement on Thursday on whether it will continue as planned or be postponed to a later stage.
Instead, cricket’s governing body postponed their decision until the next board meeting, which is scheduled for 10 June.
The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been a hard hit on preparations for Australia to host their maiden T20 World Cup.
It has also forced the ICC into a spot of bother for future events like the Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be staged in New Zealand in February next year and subsequent effects on another T20 World Cup in India in October 2021.
A press release by the ICC on Thursday afternoon stated that the discussion, led by Chairman Shashank Manohar, has been moved to the later date due to an issue on confidentiality.
‘A number of Board members had raised their concerns over this issue recently and felt it required immediate attention to ensure the sanctity and confidentiality of Board matters in line with the highest standards of governance.
‘There was unanimous agreement to immediately initiate an independent investigation led by the ICC’s Ethics Officer and supported by global experts. The Board will be updated on this by the ICC CEO at its next meeting on 10 June 2020,’ read the statement.
Australia have begun the easing of their lockdown and economic restrictions in recent weeks and boast a positive future outlook on the overcoming of the coronavirus.
Earlier this week Cricket Australia, however, confirmed the fixtures for their 2020-21 summer season of cricket, which includes Test series’ against Afghanistan (November) and India (December, January).
