ICC threatens to shift 2021 T20 World Cup from India over tax issues
Wed, May 27, '20
The ICC has told the BCCI that it reserves the right to take away the 2021 men's T20 World Cup from India, after the BCCI failed to secure a tax exemption for the tournament from the Indian government.
In a flurry of blunt e-mails over the past two months, seen by ESPNcricinfo, the ICC told the BCCI it had to provide an "unconditional confirmation" by May 18 this year that a solution had been found to a longstanding issue in coordination with the Indian government. For its part, the BCCI wanted the deadline extended at least until June 30, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as reason for invoking the force majeure clause [unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract] in the agreement. The ICC has rejected the request.
"In light of the BCCI's notification of force majeure, we would highlight the obligation on the BCCI… of the Host Agreement and that IBC (ICC Business Corporation) is entitled to terminate the agreement with immediate effect at any time from 18 May 2020," Jonathan Hall, the ICC's general counsel, wrote to the BCCI on April 29.
The first clash of the T10 league carnival was a one-sided affair. First marquee player Sunil Ambris delivered with the bat with an unbeaten 41 helping his side post 104/2. In the second innings, he delivered with the ball taking two wickets for four runs in his two overs. Javid Harry took starred with the ball taking three wickets for seven runs. Salt Pond Breakers won the match by 49 runs against Botanical Garden Rangers.
In the second match, opener Salvan Browne’s 44 helped La Soufriere Hikers post 84/5. In reply, Fort Charlotte Strikers could post 73/8, losing the match by 11 runs. In the last clash of the fourth day, Grenadiers Divers were beaten by Dark View Explorers. The Divers could not chase down a total of 87 as they suffered a batting collapse. Leg-spinner Sealron Williams starred with the ball taking three wickets for 11 runs.
West Indies back in training with board expected to approve England tour
Tue, May 26, '20
West Indies have followed England with a return to training before the expected sign-off on Thursday for their three-Test tour.
A Cricket West Indies board meeting is expected to give the green light for a trip that brings 25 players and a coaching setup together in Antigua and, once individual coronavirus test results have been returned from a private laboratory in Florida, departs for the UK on 8 June.
After arrival, the seven-week tour will begin with a fortnight of quarantine for the squad at the Hilton at Old Trafford, during which time a 15-man squad and 10 reserves are expected to be able to work towards the first Test at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl – another ground with a hotel – on 8 July.
But like England, whose 18 red-ball bowlers returned to individual training last week before a wider international training group are named on Friday, West Indies’ preparation for their defence of the Wisden Trophy has already begun.
West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel is hopeful of returning from injury in time to be selected for a planned Test tour of England.
The Windies and England are attempting to organise a three-match series - to be held behind closed doors - for July, with games pencilled in for July 8, July 16 and July 24, according to Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief executive.
Grave also confirmed a 25-man squad, including 10 reserves, will travel to the United Kingdom in the week commencing June 8.
Gabriel has not featured in the longest format since September 2019, having struggled with an ankle injury which subsequently required surgery in November last year.
Now, the paceman is focusing on stepping up his rehabilitation with the aim of returning to the fold for the series.
"It's a good feeling always to represent West Indies. It's good to be back out on the park," he told i955FM.
Cricket analyst and sports physician Dr Akshai Mansingh believes that the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season could still happen this year, depending on the health status of participating Caribbean islands.
The eighth edition of the T20 tournament is still scheduled to start in August, but there is uncertainty due to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In an ESPNcricinfo report on April 17, CPL organisers explored options for hosting the tournament, including having no fans in attendance. CPL chief operating officer Peter Russell, in that report, said that the time frame allows them not to make a snap decision.
Mansingh, who is also dean of the Faculty of Sport at The University of the West Indies, Mona, believes that it is possible to have the event in some capacity as the number of recoveries climbs regionally, but is waiting to see if the current quarantine period of two weeks will be maintained as it could play a factor.
“The way things are going, the trend that it’s taking, it suggesting that it’s probably going to be feasible to have it in some shape or form. What we have to see is what quarantine periods are because if we continue to have two-week quarantine periods, it would be impractical to move players from jurisdiction to jurisdiction if they have to wait out two weeks of quarantine,” Mansingh told The Gleaner.
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