Rangeela
International Coach
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2003
- Online Cricket Games Owned
-
There is a possibility of the Champions Trophy being held in India instead of England this year, if the ECB decides not to tour Zimbabwe as scheduled. According to The Guardian, the ICC's executive board is meeting in Auckland next week to discuss this very issue.
The ECB is unlikely to announce any decision on their tour to Zimbabwe until April, and Zimbabwe is likely to press for penalties against England if the tour is called off ? which may well lead to the Champions Trophy being shifted to India. An ICC source said, "India has emerged as an alternative venue. There would be some operational stuff to sort out but they are in a position to put it on and the offer has already been made.
"Is there much sympathy for England? The short answer is no. The Champions Trophy could be removed [from England] and there are many countries supporting Zimbabwe."
This adds a financial factor to the political and moral ones which are already in play regarding the Zimbabwe issue. The Champions Trophy is the ICC's biggest event after the World Cup, and if it is taken away from England, it would cost the ECB millions of pounds in potential revenue.
The pressure on England has, in fact, increased after Australia decided to go ahead with their tour to Zimbabwe, emphasising that they saw no reason not to do so. Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's general manager, said, "There's no question that the tour is on. The only reason we wouldn't come is if there was a threat to safety, and there is none at this stage."
? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
The ECB is unlikely to announce any decision on their tour to Zimbabwe until April, and Zimbabwe is likely to press for penalties against England if the tour is called off ? which may well lead to the Champions Trophy being shifted to India. An ICC source said, "India has emerged as an alternative venue. There would be some operational stuff to sort out but they are in a position to put it on and the offer has already been made.
"Is there much sympathy for England? The short answer is no. The Champions Trophy could be removed [from England] and there are many countries supporting Zimbabwe."
This adds a financial factor to the political and moral ones which are already in play regarding the Zimbabwe issue. The Champions Trophy is the ICC's biggest event after the World Cup, and if it is taken away from England, it would cost the ECB millions of pounds in potential revenue.
The pressure on England has, in fact, increased after Australia decided to go ahead with their tour to Zimbabwe, emphasising that they saw no reason not to do so. Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's general manager, said, "There's no question that the tour is on. The only reason we wouldn't come is if there was a threat to safety, and there is none at this stage."
? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd
