T20 World Cup deferred

THE Papua New Guinea Barramundis have been given more time to prepare following the deferral of the T20 World Cup to next year.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the deferral to October next year following concerns over the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Obviously, we are disappointed but we are seeing it as an opportunity to be even more prepared to go and represent PNG as well as we can as a team,” coach Joe Dawes told The National yesterday.
“The players are really focused on doing well in not only the World Cup in Australia but also the one-day internationals next year.
“This will only be a minor disappointment for them and as I’ve said, we will see this as an opportunity to be ready to play the top nations of world cricket.”
ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said the decision to postpone the World Cup to next year was in the best interest of the sport.
“The decision gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering a safe and successful T20 World Cup,” he said.
“Our members now have the clarity they need around event windows to enable them to reschedule lost bilateral and domestic cricket.”
The ICC also announced that the 2023 50-over men’s World Cup in India would be moved from February and March to October and November.