England's One-Day International tour of the Netherlands in 2021 has been postponed by one year due to the continued uncertainty arising from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2019 World Cup champions were to face Netherlands in a three-match ODI series in May 2021, but the three matches part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League ODI series will now be played in May 2022.
The ICC ODI Super League offers an opportunity to the non-qualified teams to qualify for the 2023 World Cup to be held in India and Netherlands are the only associate member in the 13-team competition.
In a joint statement, England and Wales Cricket Board and Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) said that “continuing uncertainty” over the pandemic forced them to reschedule the ODI series by one year with KNCB finding it not viable to play the games with few or no fans.
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The KNCB said in a statement: “The continuing uncertainty regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and the far-reaching consequences pertaining to the organization of the three matches were the reason for further consultation between the KNCB and ECB.”
It further reads: “The prospect of having to play these matches with hardly any or no spectators at all; was not a viable option for the KNCB, and the ECB showed their understanding for this situation.”
Meanwhile, England’s Managing Director Ashley Giles said: “It is disappointing that we are unable to play the Netherlands in May in what would be England's first visit to Holland. Hopefully, with the prospect of crowds returning to sport soon, we can rearrange the three matches in 2022 and showcase international cricket to capacity crowds.”
On the other hand, the KNCB said the participation of the Netherlands in the ICC competition “would have been a great chance to put cricket on the map in the country next year”.
KNCB High-Performance Manager Roland Lefebvre said: “The prospect of playing the world champions in a full house is exciting, and we look forward to welcoming the team back in 2022.”
Noteworthy, the ICC ODI Super League will determine qualification for the 2023 World Cup and the Netherlands are taking part along with the 12 full members of the ICC in the competition.
(With PTI Inputs)
