The ICC have confirmed that two events due to be played in Scotland this summer will now move to Spain in order to give the matches the best chance of going ahead due to travel restrictions in Scotland. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier and the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Pathway will now take place in Spain.
Meanwhile Scotland’s men have seen their next fixtures, the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches against Nepal and Namibia, fall victim to COVID-19 after a rising number of cases in Namibia led to concerns about their ability to travel. The matches, which had originally been due to be played in Scotland before being moved to Desert Springs, will now be rescheduled for 2022.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier will now be played at La Manga from 26-30 August. The crucial event will see the Wildcats competing against France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Turkey for a spot in the World Cup.
Meanwhile the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Pathway has also had to be moved from Scotland due to travel restrictions and will also be played in Spain between 19th September and 25th September. Ireland, Jersey, the Netherlands and Scotland will all compete for one U19 Men’s Cricket Cup spot. The decision was taken in consultation with all participating ICC Members and the new dates will allow more countries time to prepare with clarity and certainty.
Cricket Scotland Chief Executive, Gus Mackay said: “It is disappointing that the Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 series has not been able to go ahead. We know that it is possible to create safe environments where cricket can be played but moving teams around the world within the constantly changing landscape of COVID-19 travel restrictions is challenging.
“I’d like to thank everyone at the ICC, Nepal, Namibia, Cricket Espana and Cricket Scotland who have worked hard behind the scenes to give these matches the best chance of going ahead. I’m also grateful to Desert Springs which is a fantastic facility, for all their hard work in obtaining the required approvals from local authorities and we are looking forward to the events taking place in La Manga later this summer.
“While Scottish Government regulations on travel mean that we were unable to host any international ICC events in 2021, I hope that those regulations will be reviewed soon to allow international cricket to restart in this country.”
