T20 World Cup in Australia a "logistical nightmare" amid COVID-19 pandemic: Chris Lynn

The showpiece event is due to be played down under between October 18 and November 15.

Chris Lynn | GettyThe International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket Australia (CA) would find it a "logistical nightmare" to plan and execute the 16-team T20 World Cup down under amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Aussie batsman Chris Lynn. 

The fate of the showpiece event hangs in the balance at this stage, with the ICC not providing any official update on the tournament even after its recent CEC meeting, hoping for the deadly outbreak to relent in time before the October-November calendar window. 

Read Also: BCCI official says "T20 World Cup in October seems impractical" due to COVID-19 pandemic 

Lynn, however, is not so optimistic. "My personal opinion is no (it won't happen on time)," he told local broadcaster Fox Sports on Tuesday (April 28). "Obviously we’re praying for it to go ahead but we’ve just got to play what’s in front of us."

"Having teams come from all over the world is going to be a logistical nightmare," added Lynn. "Hotels, travel, keeping the teams in the hotels for a number of weeks before the tournament is going to be tough work moving forward."

Lynn, also the Brisbane Heat captain in the Big Bash League (BBL), then talked about the contentious pay cut issue and said the players must be understanding of the circumstances, where CA chief Kevin Roberts said the board might soon run out of cash because of game's indefinite suspension.

"No-one likes to take pay cuts but I think for the longevity of the game you’ve got to be realistic," said the 30-year-old.

"It is a tough one, but if it means that the BBL is no longer going ahead because the players want to take full pay then I believe that’s ridiculous."

"So, yes, we have to come to an understanding to make sure the BBL goes ahead."

CA has already confirmed 80 per cent lay off for all its staff until the end of June and delayed announcing the next round of players' contract list. 

(Inputs from Reuters)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 28 Apr, 2020

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