ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the postponement of two qualifying events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two qualifying events affected by the coronavirus pandemic are the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Europe Division 2. 

The decision by the ICC was taken after thorough consultation with the members and relevant government public health authorities. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka between July 2 and July 19, where three teams were to qualify from the event in New Zealand. 

Whereas the qualifiers for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2022 was set to commence with the European Regional Qualifier in Denmark between July 24 and July 30. The ICC will further communicate and work with all participating members in a bid to reschedule these events in future. 

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The two remaining ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Regional Qualifier Division 2 events have been kept under review. The Africa event is due to take place in Tanzania between 7 and 14 August and the Asia event between 1 and 9 December in Thailand. The Division 1 events in all five regions are scheduled to take place in 2021.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “In light of the continuing travel restrictions, global health concerns and government and public health authority advice we have decided to postpone two further upcoming qualifying events due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and the Europe qualifier to the U19 Cricket World Cup 2022 have both been impacted.

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“Our priority during this difficult period is to protect the well-being of players, coaches, officials, fans and the whole cricket community and we will take well-informed, responsible decisions in relation to both postponing events and resuming international cricket.

“These are both important events with the Women’s CWC Qualifier one step away from New Zealand 2021 and the Europe qualifier which signifies the start of the U19 Cricket World Cup 2022 pathway. We will work in partnership with the Members to find an appropriate window to reschedule these events as soon as is safe and practical to do so. I would like to thank the Members for their cooperation and continued support.”