Former Australian cricketer-turned coach and commentator Dean Jones has reckoned that there is no chance of the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 taking place this year considering the logistics and financial reasons in a wake of the global outbreak of the COVID-19.
The T20 World Cup 2020 is scheduled to take place between October 18-November 15 this year in Australia, but the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent impact on the cricket calendar has put the fate of the showpiece event under jeopardy.
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However, the ICC is scheduled to meet on June 10 to discuss the matter of rescheduling the T20 World Cup 2020 following many suggestions to cancel or postpone the tournament given the current circumstances across the world caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
Jones said on Sportscreen’s YouTube page, “T20 World Cup isn’t going to happen in Australia this year for a lot of reasons. Firstly, Cricket Australia has retrenched a lot of people. So, when you have 16 teams here, and 30-40 people per team including staff, players, and administrators, you won’t be able to do it.”
He believes that the upcoming Australia-India series makes more sense than T20 World Cup 2020 for financial health after the COVID-19 crisis.
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The 59-year old further explained, “Especially with the cover restrictions being very stringent here in Australia. And the host country also doesn’t make much money by hosting a World Cup. They used to, but not now under the rules. So, where do they (Cricket Australia) make their money now?”
Jones signed off by saying, “We will make 220 million US dollars on a full India tour of four Tests and ODIs. And of course, Australia is in a pickle, like all other cricket boards and so they are trying to protect their own space. So, I think they can handle India and not be able to handle 15 other countries coming here.”
(With IANS Inputs)
