ICC postpone all qualifying events up to June 30 in light of coronavirus pandemic

The global health risks, as well as the closure of borders and widespread travel restrictions, will affect qualifying tournaments due to be held in Kuwait, South Africa, Namibia, Spain, Papua New Guinea, Belgium, Malaysia and Finland

All ICC qualifying events due to take place before June 30 have been postponed, cricket’s global governing body has confirmed.

The action comes in response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, adding to a long line of sporting events worldwide that have been affected or cancelled by the spread of the virus.

The global health risks, as well as the closure of borders and widespread travel restrictions, mean that qualifying tournaments due to be held in Kuwait, South Africa, Namibia, Spain, Papua New Guinea, Belgium, Malaysia and Finland will all be rearranged.

Those include T20 World Cup qualifiers, as well as Cricket World Cup League stagings. Scotland are due to host Nepal and Namibia in July; that series – and all others due to take place through the remainder of 2020 – are being continually monitored.

Uganda, Canada, Malaysia, Namibia and UAE are also pencilled in to host competitions between July and December.

The women’s World Cup Qualifier, which is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka between July 3 to July 19 is also being monitored and kept under review.

ICC head of events Chris Tetley said: “In light of the significant global health concerns at the current time and the restrictions on movement imposed by governments across the world, the ICC has taken the decision to postpone all events up until the end of June subject to further review.

Coronavirus and cricket: Tours and competitions postponed, cancelled or affected by COVID-19

“Our commitment to the health and safety of players, officials, staff and fans is our priority when taking these decisions and we must act responsibly in the best interests of all involved and be guided by official advice. We felt that now was the right time to take a prudent decision on these events before further planning is undertaken and to provide clarity to everyone involved. 

“Work will continue on contingency plans and options for both men’s qualification pathways. We will provide updates in due course on these plans and decisions on the staging of the remaining events this year.

“I would like to thank all hosts and participating members for their support and understanding in reaching this position and we are unified in our hopes and intention to get cricket back on as soon as is safe and practical to do so.”

England’s men and women are due to play international cricket in June, with a Test series against West Indies for Joe Root’s side, as well as two T20Is for Heather Knight’s team against T20 World Cup finalists India.

No professional cricket will be played in England ahead of May 28, though it remains unlikely that the season would begin then in any case.

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