"It Was Possible In NZ": Heather Knight Slams Decision To Postpone 2021 World Cup

The 2021 Women’s World Cup  which was slated to take place between February 6 and March 7 in New Zealand has been postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic situation. It is clear that the decision taken by the global governing council came due to the pandemic situation but was not welcomed by England captain Heather Knight.

New Zealand has dealt with the pandemic situation. The island nation is one of the first countries across the globe to contain the virus. Moreover, it has been 100 days now that no community transmission of the Covid-19 has been reported from the country.

A gutted Knight said that she understands that tough decisions needs to be taken in these situation but she also feels that it was possible to host the tournament in New Zealand. She also took a sly jibe on the council and said that hope they are not looking to put women’s cricket on the back burner.

“Pretty gutted to be honest. I know tough decisions have to be made right now & it would have taken a lot of work (and $$), but it was feasible in NZ,” she tweeted. “Hopefully it’s not an excuse for boards to put women’s cricket on the back burner for the next 12 months with no WC to prepare for.”

“We have taken the decision to move the Women’s World Cup to give players from every competing nation, the best opportunity to be ready for the world’s biggest stage and there is still a global qualifier to complete to decide the final three teams,” Manu Sawhney, the ICC’s chief executive, had said.

“Moving the event by 12 months gives all competing teams the chance to play a sufficient level of cricket ahead of both the qualification event and leading into a Cricket World Cup so the integrity of the tournament is maintained.”

India, England, Australia, South Africa and hosts New Zealand had already qualified for the tournament. They will retain that status while the remaining three slots will be decided after a qualifying tournament.

Women’s cricket is still to resume after the pandemic situation. While the men’s cricket is on song with the series between England and West Indies and ongoing contest against Pakistan. The women cricket will return to the set-up in the women’s T20 league in UAE which coincides with the schedule of the WBBL.