New Zealand Sports Ministry supported the International Cricket Council’s decision to postpone the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 until February–March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keeping in mind health, cricket, and commercial impact of Coronavirus outbreak around the world, the global governing body on Friday (August 7) announced the postponement of the Women's ODI World Cup 2021 by a year – which was scheduled to be held in New Zealand in February-March 2021.

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However, the qualification event to decide the three remaining teams for the World Cup will take place as planned next year with four teams have already qualified for the tournament.

New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson supported the decision, given the health and safety concerns and most importantly teams' lack of preparations as they haven’t played since T20 World Cup 2020, but said they could have probably staged the Women’s World Cup next year.

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Mr. Robertson said in a statement: “This is obviously a disappointing decision for cricket players and fans around the world. The organizing committee in New Zealand has been working with the government to ensure a safe and enjoyable tournament could be played.”

He concluded, “We could have done it in 2021, but now we will look to 2022. As a government, we have reiterated our commitment to supporting the tournament.”

While a local organizing committee Chief Executive Andrea Nelson said: “What we’re all about is staging the best possible World Cup. When you look at the situation around the world and the ability for teams to qualify and train and compete in what has to be their pinnacle event, delaying it a year just makes sense to have the best possible product. We’re dealing with a pretty unprecedented global time but it is the right thing for cricket.”

(With Reuters Inputs)