ICC Agree On FTP Overhaul; World Test Championship Cycle Set To Be Affected
Published - 25 Apr 2020, 10:49 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:05 AM
The ICC Chief Executive Committee held a meeting on April 23 via video teleconference in order to decide the way ahead as far as Future Tour Programme (FTP) and ICC Test Champions and ODI Super League, which was originally scheduled to start from June, is concerned.
The Future Tour Program (FTP) has gone for a toss thanks to the onslaught of coronavirus (COVID-19) and with several series canceled, the ICC has recognized the need for completely revamping the scheduled for the remaining three years of the ongoing cycle.
“There was agreement that the disrupted FTP program would need to be collectively reviewed through to 2023 with a view to rescheduling as much of the cricket that has been postponed due to COVID-19 as possible,” the ICC said in a statement as quoted by PTI.
With most of the Test series- England vs Sri Lanka, Australia vs Bangladesh- canceled and a few more in the form of West Indies and Pakistan Test rubbers against England, and New Zealand tour of Bangladesh, likely to follow, it is almost impossible to schedule the final of the ICC Test Championship in June 2021.
A Cricket Executive Committee official was quoted as saying by PTI that once can expect at least four-month lag in the World Test championship cycle.
“The complete FTP has gone for a toss. So, the remaining part of the next three years will be revamped. Although all these Test series are part of the WTC, bilateral series is an agreement between two countries. So, all the rescheduled series will take time.
He added: “So, while all the league phase of WTC was set to be completed by March 2021, it is simply not possible now as there will be a few more Test series that will be disrupted. So expect at least a four-month lag in WTC cycle,”
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Planning for upcoming global events to continue: ICC
That said, the official revealed that the planning of the upcoming global events like ICC Men’s’ T20 World Cup 2020 and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 will continue as usual.
“The CEC was updated on the continuing contingency planning for all ICC global events, including the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2020 and the ICC women’s Cricket World Cup 2021. Planning for both events as currently scheduled is ongoing.” ICC CEC official revealed.
However, all measures are being looked at Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said that they are ready for any eventuality.
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