New Zealand Could’ve Hosted the Women’s WC In 2021 But They Support ICC’s Decision: Grant Robertson
Aug 8, 2020 at 7:14 PM
The ICC postponed women’s ODI World Cup which was scheduled for 2021 in New Zealand. The sports minister of New Zealand Grant Robertson said after the decision was made that New Zealand could have hosted the World Cup in 2021 as scheduled but they support ICC’s decision to postpone it.
The ICC deferred the tournament until February-March 2022 because of the impact the pandemic has had on cricket globally. Earlier, ICC announced the postponing of the men’s T20 World Cup which was scheduled in October 2020 to 2022, in Australia.
We support ICC’s decision to postpone the showpiece event
New Zealand sports minister Grant Robertson has said that they support the decision of ICC to postpone the women’s 50-over World Cup to 2022, but they were well equipped to have hosted it in the previously scheduled ti,e.
“This is obviously a disappointing decision for cricket players and fans around the world and for the White Ferns and their supporters here at home,” Robertson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
“The disruption caused by Covid-19 around the world has meant no international women’s cricket has been played and many teams will struggle to even come together to train in the foreseeable future. The organising committee in New Zealand has been working with the government to ensure a safe and enjoyable tournament could be played. 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.”
ICC’s change of World Cup plans
The Men’s T20 World Cup which was to be held in Australia this year has been postponed to 2022 and will be played with a new qualification process.
“There has been no women’s international cricket played since the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and due to the varying impact of COVID-19 globally that is likely to remain the situation for a number of the teams,” Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said in a statement.
“Moving the event by 12 months gives all competing teams the chance to play a sufficient level of cricket ahead of both the qualification event and leading into a Cricket World Cup so the integrity of the tournament is maintained.”
The world cricket governing body said all fans who purchased tickets to the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia will be refunded in full.