Cricket Has Only Itself To Blame For The Bloated, Unworkable Schedule: Ian Chappell
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that cricket itself is to be blamed for the bloated and unworkable schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the world. Chappell added that the re-evaluation
"Hollywood comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's signature line, 'Well, here's another fine mess you've got me into', could easily apply to cricket's current scheduling predicament. In the comedians' case it was heavyweight Hardy accusing his bumbling partner Laurel of yet another blunder. Cricket has only itself to blame for the bloated, unworkable schedule that the Covid pandemic has blown up like a left-over land mine," wrote Chappell in his column for ESPNCricinfo on Sunday.
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"An international schedule that has lately flourished like a mushroom in the dark is now resembling a block of Jarlsberg cheese with its trademark holes. Nevertheless, that is what is needed - some sympathy, in the light of the constant Covid disruptions to the international calendar. From cricket's point of view, the only good that could come from the pandemic is a thorough re-evaluation of the schedule," added Chappell.
Chappell believes the cricket scheduling in COVID-19 times will become critical when England will be presented with guidelines for the Ashes trip in Australia. "The situation could reach a critical point when the England players are presented with the restrictions that will more than likely apply during their Ashes tour of Australia. Confronted with a choice between a severely diminished Ashes series or a hastily arranged replacement tour, Australia might feel sympathy for what countries like Pakistan have experienced."
