Peter Handscomb hopeful of Australia hosting T20 World Cup 2020 amid Coronavirus threat

The Australian government banned incoming of foreigners till September 30.

T20 World Cup 2020 will be held in Australia later this year | Getty Images

Amid the ongoing global Coronavirus pandemic, Australian batsman Peter Handscomb was hopeful that the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 would proceed as planned later this year in the country, citing other Australian sports were preparing to end COVID-19 suspensions.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension of all sporting activities across the world, while the games are currently on hold in Australia as well and strict travel restrictions till September 30 have cast doubt on whether T20 World Cup 2020 will go ahead later this month.

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However, Australia's success in containing the deadly COVID-19 virus has seen the National Rugby League and Australian rules competitions working on plans to resume games – which raised hopes that the 16-nation tournament to be held from October 18 to November 15 will go ahead as planned here.

Australia's rugby commission recently said that they will be resume training from May 4 and matches will be played from May 28 and Handscomb said it is a good sign for sports in the country.

Handscomb said in a video uploaded by Cricket Australia (CA), “Looking at what other sports are trying to do at the moment, it's great to see the football codes in Australia are looking to get back soon at least to training. They're going to try to start their season end of May, June-July. If that does go ahead, then I consider that it could set a real good precedent for sport in Australia coming into our summer.”

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He further added, “Now obviously, their teams are in Australia and it might be different from international travel but I think its a positive step when we talk about sports being played again.”

Noteworthy, the International Cricket Council officials will have a conference meeting via phone on Thursday (April 23) to discuss the international schedule.

(With AFP Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 23 Apr, 2020

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