CA may propose reserve days for T20 World Cup semis

Sydney
Cricket Australia (CA) may propose the introduction of reserve days for the semifinals of the men’s T20 World Cup in the ICC Cricket Committee meeting later this year. Earlier this month, the ICC had faced a lot of flak for not keeping a reserve day for the knockout stages of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. As the ICC’s current playing conditions stand, the men’s T20 World Cup, slated to begin here from October 18, will have no reserve days available before the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 15. But, an ICC spokesperson said that playing conditions for the Men’s T20 World Cup will be discussed in the organisation’s Cricket Committee, which is scheduled to meet in the middle of this year, before they are formally signed by the Chief Executives Committee. “There’s always cause for reflection at the end of any tournament or any season, in terms of how you approach future tournaments,” CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts said.

RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazil calls for Tokyo Games in 2021

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) called for this year’s Tokyo Olympics to be suspended because of the coronavirus and proposed they be held on the same dates in 2021. Athletes are worried about keeping fit and being able to compete in qualifying events and other competitions ahead of the scheduled Games from July 24-Aug. 9. “As an ex-judoka and coach in the sport, I learned that every athlete’s dream is to go to the Olympics in top form,” said COB president Paulo Wanderley. “It’s clear that right now maintaining the games for this year will impede this dream from being fully realised.” The COB stressed it still had full confidence in the IOC but said a move was the best solution.

“The IOC has gone through immense problems before, with the episodes that ended in the cancellation of the games in 1916, 1940 and 1994, because of the world wars, and the boycotts of Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984,” Wanderley said in a statement posted on the COB website. — Agencies