If football leagues around the world can find away of delaying their season due to Covid-19 in the middle part of 2020, it shouldn’t be a perplexing problem for the Cricket association to re-schedule Australia’s Test tour of South Africa, which was set to transpire in March.
Yet, with the tour not proceeding, New Zealand have been allocated automatic qualification to the World Test Championship final, set to take stage at Lod’s this summer.
The second wave of COVID-19 in South Africa, would have caused severe risk to the touring team of Australia, with an average of 4000 new cases a day. Leaving CEO Nick Hockley, no choice but to cancel the tour, instead it seemed that protecting the players, support staff and community should always come first.
It brings no surprise though that the Australian board would be apprehensive about travelling to South Africa, unless their well-being was insured. Australia’s cricketing team would have learnt from the potential danger of being on the road during the pandemic from when they experienced a limited-overs campaign out in England last spring.
With South Africa heavily dependent on the resulting broadcast rights income, it looks as help will be put short by Australia in helping the games global economy.
Nonetheless, with what would look like a month-long trip at the minimum, there is ongoing debate whether the series could be moved to a different location such as the United Arab Emirates where cases are at a significant low, averaging 15 new cases a day.
I’m adamant South Africa have a fair way to go until they can prove that kid of level of safety. I expect if they still can’t bring forth that then I am deeply concerned that anybody involved would feel anxious in flying over.
In an action-packed schedule, Australia’s Twenty20 side were set to play in New Zealand at the exact time as the Tests on in South Africa. Although, with the tour not going ahead in South Africa, it allows all players time to rest and stay safe.
In the preparation leading up to the tour, the Herald and The Age, held a meeting with Australian bowler Pat Cummings, who is also an ambassador for luxury timepiece brand Hublot. He was joined by Aaron Finch and Moises Henriques were there also, specifying their thoughts on the current situation.
Overall, for everybody involved, there are important factors to consider rather than championship points, its important sports stars set an example as we all have a major responsibility to try and stay safe during this pandemic.
Commentaires