Brad Hogg Explains Why T20 World Cup Should Not Be Cancelled
Apr 15, 2020 at 2:21 PM
The coronavirus epidemic has claimed 1,26,681 lives and affected 19,81,239 people globally. So far, 4,86,622 people have recovered from the deadly virus. Due to this frightening disease, several sporting events have been postponed. IPL franchises, broadcasters are bracing up for a massive loss this time around if the tournament is cancelled.
The next showpiece event, which is the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 is originally scheduled to be held in October-November this year in Australia. With uncertainty looming large over the T20 World Cup tournament in this crisis, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg came up with few suggestions which he feels can be used to stage the tournament as per schedule.
With a six-month travel ban in place in Australia, many experts have come to the conclusion that the marquee event cannot be held in such circumstances. Nonetheless, Brad Hogg thinks otherwise in this scenario.
T20 World Cup should not be cancelled: Brad Hogg
In a recent video posted on his official Twitter handle, the former left-arm chinaman explained that the all-important tournament should not be cancelled as millions of cricket lovers all across the world watch their favourite players, despite the fact that it has to be in front of empty stands.
Brad Hogg also highlighted the fact that rescheduling the tournament later would not be right as another T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played next year in India. According to him, staging two elite tournaments within a span of six-eight months is not appropriate.
“We have to play the T20 World Cup as it is planned. A lot of players internationally have been in lockdown and they have not been able to go out and train. We have to get them in Australia probably a month and a half earlier,” Hogg said.
“There are no commercial flights, so we need to use charter flights. Each participant who will board the charter flights needs to be tested for coronavirus, if they pass the test, they come to Australia. When they arrive in Australia, they will be quarantined for two weeks and then they will be tested again. Once they pass it, they can train and play the tournament,” he added.
Earlier, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell expressed that it won’t be easy to have a T20 World Cup tournament without fans. Former Australia skipper Allan Border echoed that he doesn’t see a T20 World Cup happening behind closed doors amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.