In the upcoming board meeting via video conference, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will discuss some key points to handle the ongoing FTP schedule, which has been started to get affected due to the COVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak.
On Friday (29th March), the ICC will meet the other international board members via video conference. Though they are not likely taking any final decision about any particular matter, they will try to bring out some contingency plans to handle the present and future situations.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak globally, the ongoing ICC FTP schedule, including the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, has already been started to get affected. Many countries are still fighting against this novel virus as some countries have entered into the lockdown process. While some series have already been postponed, it is hurting the FTP schedule.
An official member told PTI, “Right now, the situation is such that no decision can be taken as no one knows when normalcy returns. Obviously the members will give a lowdown of the situation in their respective countries.
“But we need to be ready with plans if this lockdown continues for two more months. The complete FTP will be topsy turvy.”
Recently, the England tour of Sri Lanka has been postponed due to the coronavirus issue. It was the two-match Test series which was also the part of the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship. As the FTP schedule is very much tight, it will be tough to reschedule the events if some more future events get affected in the same way.
The official added, “The England versus Sri Lanka series got postponed but where will it be slotted considering the FTP calendar is choc-a-bloc. It’s not one series that will be affected but a few more which are lined up.”
How the ICC will handle the ongoing World Test Championship stoppage?
In the case of multi Test series cancellations, which are the parts of 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship, the ICC can follow the option of points distributions. But the major question is how it can be sorted out properly. In the upcoming meeting, they will try to find out some best solutions on this matter.
The official claimed, “So like what could be the ideal points distribution system. Whether giving 60 points each to both teams will be fair deal is something that members need to discuss.”
Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020. At present, the future of this tournament is not under the danger position yet. But this tournament can also be affected massively if the present global situation fails to improve within the next few months.
While international cricket has already been affected in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, more stoppage can affect the ICC and all the international boards financially.
Another board member talked about that, “That is an extreme situation which we are not even thinking at the moment. But it is a crisis situation and no harm if options are discussed.”
Initially, the upcoming ICC meeting was scheduled for three days in Dubai. But the coronavirus has forced to make this meeting short and distantly.