Dubai offers to host England's international, domestic fixtures amid COVID-19 pandemic 

The ECB has received multiple offers from various boards to host its matches.

England's home summer remains under threat | GettySalman Hanif, the head of cricket at Dubai Sports City (DSC), said the DSC would "definitely be keen" to host England's international, domestic fixtures if the situation comes down to that. 

ECB CEO Tom Harrison recently revealed that the board has received "offers from multiple boards… as far away as New Zealand and Australia", including one from Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC) for a duration between October and January, as the game remains suspended in UK till at least July 1 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read Also: ECB chief says cricket body given leading role by British govt in sport reopening plans 

Dubai has now also thrown its hat in the ring, especially with the deadly outbreak seemingly relenting in UAE, where restrictions have begun to be lifted following a strict curfew and it seems the worst of the pandemic has been avoided with 89 deaths reported. The lockdown has loosened gradually, with malls re-opening across the country. 

"If anything comes up - any bilateral series, or tournament - that has to be rescheduled, UAE would definitely be keen to host any of them," Hanif told the National. "It is still too early to plan, but if there is anything such as that being considered by the ECB, we would be more than happy to host them."

"We have hosted them in the past, and we would certainly offer the best of support, facilities and everything again. Outside of full member countries, UAE has the best cricket facilities, infrastructure, management support, and support for cricket organisations. We have proved that in the past. If anything comes up, I think UAE would be considered at the forefront."

Dubai Sports City offers three grounds - the main international venue, used multiple times for England's internationals against Pakistan, and two pitches at the ICC Academy, which remains a popular host amid county clubs for their pre-season fixtures. 

The ECB wants to salvage as much of the profitable part of the summer as possible, even if that happens behind closed doors, with no crowd presence. 

Surrey's chairman, Richard Thompson, said playing games overseas is definitely an option on the table, but the cost of flying squads abroad will be significantly higher. 

"Broadcasters are crucial to this," he said. "No governing body wants to breach an agreement with the broadcasters, so as long as it can deliver the product, it doesn't matter where it delivers it from." It appears that offers to play games overseas remain at a very early stage."

(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 30 Apr, 2020

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