Matthew Hayden Reckons That India-Australia Series Should Go Ahead Only After Every Security Protocal Has Been Met

Matthew Hayden, former swashbuckling Australian opener, has reckoned that he does not see the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup taking place Down Under in Australia later this year.

The proliferation of the global pandemic that is the coronavirus [COVID-19] has put the cricketing world to a standstill. A plethora of bilateral series and the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League has been put on the backburner.

The T20 World Cup has also come under serious jeopardy and the International Cricket Council [ICC] is set to hold a meeting on May 28th via video conference where a decision could be taken on the future of the quadrennial event.

“It’s very difficult to see any live cricket happening at the moment. However, in Australia, we have largely remained unaffected by COVID-19. I will imagine the ICC will be taking all necessary precautions to ensure that not only the players are safe but the spectators are also safe if at all the T20 World Cup does take place,” Matthew Hayden told IANS.

Hayden added: “The current situation in Australia is that a person is not allowed to travel in between borders, there’s very little movement of people. So, at this stage its very hard to see any kind of global tournament proceeding,”

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India-Australia series should take place only after all security protocols have been met: Matthew Hayden

The T20 World Cup will be succeeded with the Indian tour of Australia where Virat Kohli’s men are scheduled to play four Test matches and three ODIs.

The Indian tour of Australia is reportedly worth AU$ 300 million and Cricket Australia is drawing every sort of contingency plan in order to make the tour go ahead. Commenting on the same, Hayden said that while he would want the series to happen, he reckoned that it shouldn’t take place until all the safety protocols have been met by Cricket Australia.

“Certainly I think it should proceed if all health and safety issues are not compromised. If Cricket Australia can ensure clean stadiums then I think it should proceed but not until every last health authority in Australia is consulted with. No risks should be taken,” Matthew Hayden added.

Meanwhile, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal has recently said that India is open to quarantine for a 14-day period before the series and also on playing all the Test matches at a single venue.

Also Read: India Open To Playing All Tests At The Adelaide Oval On The Australian Tour: Arun Dhumal