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South Africa Edition Postponed Till February 2023

South Africa edition postponed till February 2023

The 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup which was slated to be played in South Africa from November 2022 has been postponed by 3 months in order to avoid clashing of other ICC tournaments and manage the workload of the players.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the ICC had to postpone the 50 overs Women’s World Cup to 2022 which was slated to be played in New Zealand in 2021. The ICC declared in a statement that the Women’s T20 World Cup has been shifted to February 2023 and will now be played from 9^th to 26^th February. Having said that, the silver lining in these trying times is that the women’s T20 cricket is set to be part of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“The Board confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will move from its current slot at the end of 2022 to 9-26 February 2023,” ICC said in a statement.

Had the tournament not been postponed there would have been three big-ticket events in a calendar year. However, the apex body felt that in order to manage the workload of the players and help them prepare for the mega event it was necessary to postpone the tournament.

“As there are currently no major women’s events scheduled to take place in 2023 the Board confirmed the switch for the T20 World Cup to better support player preparation and to continue to build the momentum around the women’s game beyond 2022,” the apex body said.

Meanwhile, the decision was a unanimous one as the workload of the players could have been a major issue. Keeping in mind the long term growth of women’s cricket, the ICC CEO said it was a sensible move.

“Moving the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to 2023 makes perfect sense on a number of levels,” ICC CEO Manu Sawhney said in the statement.

“Firstly, it will provide a better workload balance for players giving them the best possible opportunity to perform to the highest levels on a global stage. Secondly, we can continue to build the momentum around the women’s game through 2022 and into 2023. We are committed to fuelling the growth of the women’s game and today’s decision enables us to do that over the longer term.” Manu concluded.

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Habibul Bashar hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19

Yet again COVID-19 has wrecked the cricketing world after former Bangladesh skipper and an iconic figure in the country Habibul Bashar has been hospitalized after testing positive to the novel corona virus. Bashar who is currently the national selector had tested positive on 12th November but it was only on 16th November that he was admitted to the hospital after it was detected that he had an infection in his lungs. ''I was admitted on Monday. The doctor said that my lungs infection increased and immediately admitted me to the hospital. I am not having any fever at the moment and due to infection in my lungs the fever was not going,'' Bashar said on Thursday. ''Now I am quite fine as there is no breathing problem and hopefully will be released on Saturday,'' he said. Considered as one of the most influential players in the country, Habibul Bashar had led Bangladesh to some memorable victories during his tenure. It was under his leadership that Bangladesh defeated India in the 2007 World Cup which remains one of the most iconic moments in their history. Meanwhile, Bashar has been quite active in his new role as a member of the BCB selection panel. Alongside chief selector Minhajul Abedin, the duo has continuously kept a track on the performances in the domestic circuit and has also attended training and the matches. Meanwhile coming to the current situation in Bangladesh, the country has recorded 2364 new infections in the last 24 hours with 30 deaths.

NZ to invest USD 2 million for gender-neutral upgrades in stadiums

In what comes as a great development as far as New Zealand sports is concerned, the New Zealand government has announced a USA 2 million package in order to upgrade the facilities at the five major stadiums in the country. The 5 major stadiums in the country are Basin Reserve, Seddon Park, University Oval, Hagley Oval and the NZC High-Performance Centre at Lincoln University. They are planning to make the venues gender-neutral ahead of the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. In all likelihood, the Eden Park in Auckland can host all three women’s world cups including cricket, football and rugby. Preparations are being made to make it a gender-neutral venue. Meanwhile, the upgrades at the Tauranga’s Bay Oval has been accessed and has been considered “ acceptable”. "What goes on behind the scenes is a huge part of what happens out on the field," ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 CEO Andrea Nelson was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. "To achieve exceptional performances, players need access to appropriate facilities." "This is what major events are all about. New Zealand's premier sporting venues and the players that grace them will benefit from these facility upgrades for many years to come. Beyond the nationwide celebration of cricket in 2022, the CWC22 legacy will improve the experience of our women and girls in cricket for future generations." The focus for the upgrade of the stadium will be given on gender-equal facilities including the toilets which is the primary on their list. New Zealand’s deputy prime minister mentioned that the facilities in stadiums are generally tailor-made for men and is not always right for the women. "Facilities that are tailored for men are not always right for women, and part of this funding is about changing that, so we are good hosts for the world's best women's players in 2022. Gender-neutral facilities are lacking at all levels of the sector and this needs to change in order to encourage more women and girls to participate in play, active recreation and sport." "As well as providing high-quality and safe facilities for the Cricket World Cup teams, they'll provide an example of what good inclusivity looks like for everyone using the changing facilities regardless of gender, reducing barriers to participation," Robertson added. "Hosting three women's world cups in three years is a massive opportunity to drive positive change and put New Zealand on the world map when it comes to women in sport."

Ishant Sharma looks in good shape ahead of tour Down Under

If the words of a BCCI observer is to be believed, Indian Test specialist Ishant Sharma “is looking good” after the lanky speedster bowled two long spells at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday under the watchful eyes of NCA chief Rahul Dravid and chairman of selectors Sunil Joshi. Ishant has been named in the preliminary Test squad but he has to prove his fitness before getting a nod from the bosses. Ishant is recovering from an abdominal muscle tear which he sustained during the recently concluded IPL. Ishant bowled two long spells and most of it came at full tilt. These are promising signs for India going into a high octane test series. However, a final decision on his fitness will be taken afterwards. Ishant bowled on the side pitches for 45 minutes during the lunch break of a 50 overs side corporate cricket match and then bowled close to an hour following the conclusion of the match. He also did his routine stretches and also returned for a brief fielding session of high and flat catches. One of the most vital cogs in the Indian pace attack in the longest format, Ishant is hoping to regain full fitness before the Australia series. What stood out as far as Ishant is concerned is the way he bowled. He didn’t look in any discomfort what so ever but it might be too early to come to a conclusion. Sharma has been following his rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. It was during his stint with the Delhi Capitals that he complained of a pain in the rib cage during a training session in Dubai. He had to pack his bags and return home after playing just a solitary match for DC this season. If declared fit, Ishant can start bowling from November 18 following which he needs to prove his match fitness to travel Down Under. If proven match fit, Ishant will travel to Australia separately to join the team.

Josh Hazlewood more than happy to play the opening Test in Gabba

Australia speedster Josh Hazlewood feels that Gabba could be the perfect venue to host the opening Test against India if the coronavirus crisis increases in Adelaide. As per reports, the COVID-19 cases in Adelaide has seen a surge in the last few days which might prompt the Australian cricket board to move the opening Test from Adelaide. As per the original schedule, Adelaide is slated to host the opening Test which will be India’s first day-night affair in foreign conditions. The neighbouring states have already closed their borders with South Australia. Hazlewood who will be a lynchpin in the Australian bowling attack in the upcoming Test series feels that it would be better for the fast bowlers to get the game out of the way in Brisbane before it gets too hot and starts favouring the batsmen. "It probably would be (the Gabba) to be fair. I think the longer we wait the hotter it gets up there so the quicks would all be happy to get that game done in early December. We obviously have a really good record (in Brisbane) and it's a great place to start," Hazlewood was quoted as saying to the reporters. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 spike has forced Test skipper Tim Paine into self-quarantine and the other players preparing for the Big Bash League has also been moved to a training camp on the coast of New South Wales. While Hazlewood is more than happy to play the opening Test in Gabba, the speedster feels that the Day-Night Test should only be played in Adelaide due to the nature of the wicket there. "He (curator Damian Hough) has got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test. A few grounds around Australia are too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth. Those wickets are too hard for a pink ball, it goes quite soft after a certain amount of time. "Could be red ball (first Test in) Melbourne or Brisbane or somewhere, then we head back to Adelaide later on in the summer. From all reports, we're still good for Adelaide but it can always change... hopefully they can get on top of it in the next week or two," Hazlewood said. India’s tour of Australia starts with the ODI series on November 27 followed by the 3-match T20I series and the Test series.