Virat Kohli and his team will be open to playing the entire Test series against Australia in a bio-secure Adelaide Oval, according to a top Indian Cricket Board official.
India are scheduled to play four Tests and three one-day internationals in December and January on a tour reportedly worth $300 million in broadcast revenue for Cricket Australia (CA).
Australia vice-captain Travis Head on Thursday backed the idea of playing the entire Test series behind closed doors at the Adelaide Oval, where an on-site hotel is under construction, to ensure it goes ahead amid restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The boys would be very keen to go back to the field,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer Arun Dhumal said in an interview with Reuters.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“If the situation allows only one venue for all the matches, so be it. Maybe when lockdown is lifted, it would be the new normal that everyone has to follow.
“There’s talk of matches without spectators. Nobody would like that, but if it comes to that and there’s no other way, one may have to do that.
“It’s still six or seven months down the line. We’ll take the right call in the best interest of the safety and health of our boys.”
BCCI had to postpone this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the pandemic and the world’s richest cricket board is staring at a potential $US530 million loss if it fails to find another window for the lucrative competition.
Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates have offered to stage the Twenty20 competition but BCCI is not keen on shifting it.
The pandemic has also jeopardised the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, which is set to begin in October.
Dhumal suggested that the BCCI would consider slotting IPL in the October-November window if the global tournament cannot go ahead.
“If IPL has to happen, there has to be a clear-cut window of 30 to 40 days,” he said.
“If T20 World Cup does not happen, and there’s a window available, then it would be worked out, subject to restrictions of course.”
Paul
Roar Guru
I hadn't been following this story. Thanks for the excellent clarification, Jeff.
Paul
Roar Guru
completely agree Dexter, the MCG Test is all about the atmosphere brought on by a good sized crowd. Imagine the reaction from the Vics if the 4 Test series was played in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, because crowds weren't allowed and these had the most sporting pitches? Ballistic doesn't come close to describing their reaction :happy: :happy:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Nice try by the SACA to keep this story rolling along. The SACA first raised this as an idea in April. SA captain Travis Head was enlisted to promote the idea by commenting on what a great idea it was. Hazelwood was then asked for comment, which he gave, to give "national" support to the story. The AAP has then taken the story to the BCCI treasurer who has said along the lines of "well if that is what has to happen, then we could work with it". Which in the reporting of AAP is now the "BCCI reportedly firming on the idea". Cue SACA captain Travis Head to be rolled out again this week and - again - say what a great idea it is. So now it's looking like a "real" story because media organisations are falling over each other to keep reporting on "the story". Problem is, has anyone at CA even talked about this? If a State with some of the tightest biosecurity borders in place is happy for international arrivals later this year, I suspect states like Victoria and NSW will be just as prepared to also host Tests. It would seem a bit odd that, were Indian players to be allowed into the country in December, that for some reason they have to live in a 6 week bubble, never venturing outside their hotel or Adelaide Oval, when plans are already under way in May and June to have the teams of football codes - especially in Melbourne - playing games against multiple teams at multiple venues, and with the rest of the country "back to work". So again, why, come December, is the Indian team being locked up in a biosecurity bubble? But I can't fault SACA's media department for keeping the story going, albeit with just the minimal effort of continuing to roll out its State captain.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
A couple of issues with rescheduling this T20WC to Feb-Mar 2021: 1) India is hosting England in a 5 Test series in Feb-Mar. That will be a massive income generator for BCCI and Star and will not be cancelled if cricket can be played. South Africa is hosting Australia in a 3 Test series in Feb-Mar which is one of the highest earners for a cash-strapped CSA. West Indies is also hosting Sri Lanka. 2) The 2021 T20WC is being hosted by India in October/November. It would be nonsensical to reduce the gap between WCs to 6 months and have them played in the same calendar year. BCCI almost certainly wouldn't agree to cancelling that event, not with financial return involved. I think the 2020 T20WC in Australia will be cancelled and Australia will be announced host of the T20WC in either 2022 or 2023, depending on when the ICC members decide to schedule it.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
In fairness Paul, if there are no fans, I'd prefer to skip the MCG test. Its been a poor place to host test cricket for awhile now, without the massive crowd it wouldn't be missed. I cant see how we cant play Tests at different locations from a biosecurity point of view, I'm sure its possible. I guess it might come down to money.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
I'm surprised we haven't postponed the T20 WC to Feb/Mar 2021 already. Allows the IPL to go ahead in Oct, the Test summer can go ahead, and I'm sure Aust can restructure its ODI and T20 summer to accommodate the WC. The longer the WC is delayed, the higher the chance of fans being allowed into the games.
Paul
Roar Guru
it'd be part of the CA annual report, Dwanye. This sum would be lumped in with any other broadcasting revenue and offset against normal outgoings, I'd imagine. I'm guessing the issue you're hinting at, is what happens to any left over funds, assuming this is as big a windfall as it sounds?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
$300 million, wonder if they release a break down of what they do with that money.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Good to hear some positive news.
Paul
Roar Guru
Part of the enjoyment with a 4 or 5 Test series are watching players adapt to different playing conditions. It's not only the changes in pitches, but the temperature & humidity changes, the ground sizes, etc. If it was a choice between no cricket or playing an entire Test series between the best two teams in world cricket, it's a no-brainer what has to happen. I hope we can get games at the other venues, especially the MCG for Boxing Day and the SCG. All Tests are special but if they get crowds to these games, they're even more so.
Brian
Guest
Looks like Australian players will spend October and November in the IPL in exchange for an Indian tour over summer. As usual works well for BCCI and CA but not great for the lesser boards who will miss out on the ICC t20 cup money