This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the sports world, cricket chiefs are set to convene a crucial conference call to discuss the future of the sport's biggest events.
On Thursday, the chief executives of the International Cricket Council's 12 full member nations and three associate representatives will gather to share knowledge and build a deep understanding of what it will take to resume international cricket.
The pandemic has already caused significant disruptions, with the start of the English season and the lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League delayed. England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison has warned that an entire season without cricket would cost the game there more than £300 million ($373 million), while Cricket Australia has laid off staff.
South Africa's limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in June became the latest series to be postponed, and the virus could also threaten this year's T20 World Cup in Australia, scheduled to start on October 18.
Next year's inaugural World Test Championship final at Lord's may also be delayed if countries are unable to play their scheduled qualifying matches.
ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney emphasized the importance of a collective process, saying, "We need to share knowledge and start to build a deep understanding of what it will take to resume international cricket." He added, "Countries will start to reopen at different stages and in different ways, and we will need to respect that and have a holistic view of this to enable us to take well-informed decisions that mitigate the various risks as much as possible."
