INDIA CAN’T HOST T20 WORLD CUP
LEAVInG aside the complete falsehood that, according to the organisers, the IPL stars are ‘playing for humanity’, there is absolutely no way the T20 World Cup can go ahead in India as planned. The tournament may not be scheduled until October, but logistical analysis is taking place now, amid the greatest coronavirus emergency on the planet.
Final plans are being made regarding hotels, travel, training grounds and staff, and working parties should be making important reconnaissance trips. The ICC has a delegation in India doing just that. Yet it is impossible to know what the situation will be six months from now; what will be closed, where will be open. It could be disastrous to delay and delay in the hope the country moves out of crisis.
The decision of the IPL to continue looks more insensitive by the day, not least with tales of vaccine priorities to healthy athletes. To then saddle a stricken nation with a second demanding event would be morally reprehensible.
India must be allowed to deal with its health emergency undistracted. The UAE has been put forward as an alternate host and should be promoted as a matter of priority. India’s power in cricket is great and the ICC love to appease them, but some obstacles are just too great.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is attempting to convince Edinson Cavani to extend his Manchester United contract by selling him the impact of playing in front of the club’s supporters. After Cavani scored twice in last night’s 6-2 romp against Roma, the Uruguayan has netted 12 goals this season despite injuries and is yet to decide his future. ‘I promised him Old Trafford is a different place with fans,’ Solskjaer said. ‘He has to feel scoring those goals at the Stretford End, with fans. We’ve got the best fans and as a goalscorer there’s no better thing to score in front of them. Manchester is a fantastic place to live. I’m doing my best. Hopefully he can see himself being here for another year. He knows my feelings, he knows I’d love to have him for another year. ‘I’m delighted with him, you can see the difference in him when he’s worked on fitness. He looks like he’s making up for lost time. He was out seven months before coming to us.’ Solskjaer aimed a gentle dig at Paul Scholes for demanding more flair in United’s side at half-time when United trailed 2-1. Former United midfielders Scholes and Owen Hargreaves called for attacking changes at the break while on punditry duty for BT Sport. Solskjaer opted against making any subs until late on. ‘It’s easy up there thinking who should play and who should not play,’ Solskjaer said. ‘Maybe those two should leave players out themselves and pick a team with balance! ‘Mason Greenwood should be disappointed not to be playing but it’s about balance. We have players who can create a big moment with a foundation behind them.’ Solskjaer did criticise his team’s defending, however. ‘The two goals are junior, schoolboy errors that shouldn’t happen at this level,’ he added. ‘The character showed that they came back and didn’t lose their heads.’ Roma’s Chris Smalling conceded a contentious penalty on his return to Old Trafford after leaving in 2019. ‘Just pure disappointment,’ he said. ‘The goals we conceded were sloppy.’