Cricket seems to adapt to the new normal in a world under the shadow of a pandemic. The guidelines from the International Cricket Council shaped the future and it definitely looks that action on the ground is returning in the near future. For men, the action has started at Ageas Bowl where the English side is facing the West Indies. The test series shall lay the precedence for many bilateral encounters to come.
For Women, the update comes from England as well. In a report by BBC, Surrey is expected to play Middlesex at the Oval. The sides will face each other on 22nd July. The faceoff will be the first women’s game in England after the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The Twenty20 game will begin at 6 p.m. as per local time. Interestingly, the match will be broadcasted online on the website of both counties.
The match is, further, a part of the London Cup. Fans can see players like Natalie Sciver, Bryony Smith, and Sophia Dunkley playing for Surrey. Middlesex, on the other hand, has no full-time International. The coach of the two sides will be Ebony Rainford-Brent and Beth Morgan. As the news relating postponement of The Hundred made its way into the masses, there were doubts whether domestic cricket for women was possible this season or not.
On the International front, the pre-scheduled series of England and India has been postponed. Nonetheless, as reported by us, England and Wales Cricket Board looks forward to hosting India and South Africa in September. English cricketing board hopes to have a tri-series featuring India and the Proteas. There have been several concerns raised by international professionals on the resumption of cricket. It has been highlighted that women might have to suffer more than men as per the aftermaths of the pandemic.
Men bring revenues to the game and it is rightly expected that ICC and regional boards will focus more on men and attractive leagues and faceoffs to catch the eyes of more people. Boards and administrators will have to find a balanced and comprehensive way to take the game ahead in all strands with a proper check on revenue as well.
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