“T20 World Cup isn’t Going to Happen in Australia” Says Dean Jones

The ICC T20 World Cup 2020 is scheduled in Australia from October 18 to November 15. Though there are chances that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will postpone the tournament, Cricket Australia is hoping to host the tournament to cover up the financial losses. 

The game of cricket has suffered a lot due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The cricket boards are undergoing a huge financial crisis as there has been no game of cricket happening anywhere in the world for the past two months. CA is the most affected by the pandemic and is relying heavily on the T20 World Cup and Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the Indian team in December-January. 

However, former Australian cricketer turned coach and commentator Dean Jones believe that Australia is not prepared to host the big tournament involving 16 teams from all over the world. 

Jones said on Sportscreen’s YouTube page, “T20 World Cup isn’t going to happen in Australia this year for a lot of reasons. Firstly, Cricket Australia has retrenched a lot of people. So, when you have 16 teams here, and 30-40 people per team including staff, players, and administrators, you won’t be able to do it.”

Australia will not make much money by hosting T20 World Cup

Given the financial conditions of Cricket Australia, Jones believes that the upcoming test, ODI and T20 series with India makes more sense than the T20 World Cup. Also, the host country doesn’t make much money by hosting the ICC tournament and CA is in dire need of some monetary help. 

The 59-year-old explained, “Especially with the cover restrictions being very stringent here in Australia. And the host country also doesn’t make much money by hosting a World Cup. They used to, but not now under the rules. So, where do they (Cricket Australia) make their money now?”

Jones concluded, “We will make 220 million US dollars on a full India tour of four Tests and ODIs. And of course, Australia is in a pickle, like all other cricket boards and so they are trying to protect their own space. So, I think they can handle India and not be able to handle 15 other countries coming here.”