Australian PM’s decision propels hopes for T20 World Cup this year

The International Cricket Council and Cricket Australia can seriously think about hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Down Under as per original schedule this year.

Announcing major relaxations in restrictions imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has allowed up to 10,000 fans in stadiums during sporting events. The relaxation, to be effective from next month, raises hope for further leeway by October when the T20 World Cup is slated to start.

The news comes on the eve of the Super Rugby Aotearoa, which will see the crowd returning to sports in the trans-Tasman nation New Zealand.

The stadiums in Australia will be able to fill up to 25% seats or a maximum of 10,000, Morisson said. “We will be moving, as part of step 3, for events in stadia or other venues of that nature with a capacity of 40,000 or less to enable attendance at those events,” the Australian premier told reporters.

Irrespective of the stadium capacity, spectators will be limited to ten thousand to ensure social distancing in transport system as well.

“This is not something that’s happening straight away,” he added. “This is something that would be happening as part of step 3, where states and territories choose to move to that, and it will require a bit more work.”

Only the ticket holders will be permitted in the stadium with social distancing rules in place strictly.

Spectators have been barred from Australian sporting events since mid-March when competitions ground to a halt as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

If Cricket Australia and the ICC decide to go ahead with the World Cup this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India might find it difficult to go ahead with its plan to host the Indian Premier League during September-October.

However, it remains to be seen if Cricket Australia and the ICC will agree to stage the World Cup with only the crowd that would just be 10% to 11% of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is slated to host the Grand Finale on      November 15.

Australia Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has though recently said that the World Cup Down Under is very much on.

Admin Sportz Front

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