Whenever the COVID-19 pandemic relieves us, the cricket world will definitely have a more challenging, cramped schedule for the players to endure.
Administrators across the globe will be looking at options to make-up for the losses suffered while the game remains suspended, including that of possibly fielding red and white-ball teams concurrently.
But like his English counterpart Eoin Morgan, Australia skipper Aaron Finch said he is also willing to do whatever it would take to safeguard the sport's interests.
"It is definitely an option that can be looked at," Finch told Sportstar. "The downside to that though is that multi-format players won’t be able to play in both. But that also has the ability to create opportunities for those that wouldn’t necessarily get that opportunity in the first place."
Australia is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup at home from October 18 till November 15, which is now under serious threat because of the deadly outbreak. "Sports is something that has the ability to bring people from all different walks of life together," said Finch. "In regards to the (T20) World Cup, it will be enormous if it is played because it will be the first real piece of sport that will take place at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic."
"Of course, we need to make sure it is safe to go ahead and hopefully if it does, crowds will be allowed to attend."
Finch informed head coach Justin Langer and his support staff have kept in touch will all the players with regards to their customised fitness routines to go through in this phase.
"We have different WhatsApp groups where everyone is keeping in contact every day and the communication from JL and the other coaches has been awesome throughout this period."
"I’m still training just as much as I normally would, but of course it is a different kind of training that I am doing at the moment. I am doing a lot more fitness and strength-based training," he added.
Communication has also been strong with players' IPL franchises, as the league's 13th edition remains indefinitely postponed. "We are getting constant feedback from the IPL franchises as to what is happening around the tournament," said Finch, who is due to turn up for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). "The IPL is such an important competition for a cricket-loving country like India, so it is important to do everything we can to play."
(Inputs from Sportstar)
