ICC on its toes in the Women’s T20 World Cup amidst coronavirus

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put its priorities clear amidst the wrath of coronavirus across the globe. The 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup is currently taking place in Australia and the board is turning no stones down in focussing on the security of the people. The tournament has already witnessed the Group games and only the semi-finals and finals remain.

Even as the semi-finals will be played on Thursday, March 5, the MCG will host the final on Sunday, March 8. In the meantime, the coronavirus has wreaked havoc, the cases passing 92,000 with the numbers exceeding 42 in Australia. The ICC has made the players from both the teams aware about it and the hand hygiene needs to stay away from the wrath of coronavirus.

“Everyone involved is our priority and we are working with the authorities here and monitoring the situation. We are keeping the teams abreast of that all and ensuring everyone is aware about hand hygiene etc,” the apex cricket board was quoted as saying in Business Standard.

In India, there has been 28 confirmed cases of the virus, confirmed by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. The death tolls have rising above 92 in Iran.

A riveting day in store for T20 World Cup

On Thursday, the first semi-final will be played between England and India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won all their four matches in the Group stage, but they are yet to beat England in the T20 World Cup history out of five attempts, losing every time.

England, on the other hand, started with a defeat at the hands of South Africa, but came back with victories against Pakistan, Thailand and the West Indies. In the second semis on the same day, hosts Australia and the Proteas would be pitted against each other in Sydney under the floodlights.

South Africa are yet to defeat the Aussies in a T20I and the latter, being defending champions, would have the upper hand, statistically. However, there are chances of heavy rain throughout the day. In case rain plays spoilsport, India and South Africa, the Group toppers, make the finals.