ICC calls off World Cup qualifiers in Scotland

A 50-over world cup qualifying event which Scotland was due to host next month has been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 series nine and the second edition of the World Cup Challenge League B, both qualifying tournaments for the 2023 Cricket World Cup have been called off, the International Cricket Council has confirmed, .

Scotland were due to host Nepal and Namibia in the round-robin League 2 competition from 4 to 11 July. Four of the six oneday internationals were due to be held at Titwood, the home of Clydesdale CC in Glasgow and the others at the Grange in Edinburgh.

The League B event was due to be staged in Uganda in August, with 15 matches between the hosts, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey and Kenya.

ICC head of events Chris Tetley said: “With ongoing international travel restrictions and global health concerns still in place and on government and public health authority advice in relation to Covid-19 we have decided in partnership with members, to postpone two further qualifying series which form part of the pathway to the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023.

“We will now work with hosts and members to find a window where they can be safely and practically rescheduled.”

Meanwhile, Australia bowler Kane Richardson has backed the ICC’S move to hold off on deciding the fate of the T20 World Cup.

The tournament is due to be hosted by Australia in October, and the ICC said it was exploring “a number of contingency plans” but continues to plan as if it will go ahead as normal.

Richardson said: “I guess taking as much time as we can to make a decision about something like this is important.

“I think it’s the right move. Australia and New Zealand have been really good in terms of flattening the curve so I think there’s positivity. I think the best decision is to take your time with this.”