New Zealand backs ICC decision to postpone women’s World Cup

The International Cricket Council has decided to postpone the Women’s World Cup 2021 at a time when the country was preparing to stage the event in six months’ time.

New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson is disappointed as the ICC on Friday announced to defer the seven-team competition from February-March 2021 to 2022. The World Cup in New Zealand is affected as the ICC has altered its event’s calendar in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealand has a reason to be disappointed as the country has been best in dealing with the deadly virus with the number of infections on a daily basis managed between zero and two for the past several months.

While supporting the ICC decision, Robertson asserted that his nation was prepared to stage the event next year.

“This is obviously a disappointing decision for cricket players and fans around the world. The organizing committee in New Zealand has been working with the Government to ensure a safe and enjoyable tournament could be played,” Robertson said in a Press note.

“We could have done it in 2021, but now we will look to 2022. As a government, we have reiterated our commitment to supporting the tournament.”

Local organizing committee Chief Executive Andrea Nelson added: “What we’re all about is staging the best possible World Cup. When you look at the situation around the world and the ability for teams to qualify and train and compete in what has to be their pinnacle event, delaying it a year just makes sense to have the best possible product. We’re dealing with a pretty unprecedented global time but it is the right thing for cricket.”

The World Cup qualifiers to identify the remaining three teams will be played as per the earlier schedule next year.

Admin Sportz Front

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