Oh, these challenging times!

While the BCCI has the resources to withstand a severe financial buffeting, the England and Wales Cricket Board will be stretched to the limit if yet another season becomes a financial drain

If you want an extreme example of resilience in the game of cricket then you need look no further than the Indian team which recently toured Australia.

Despite a horrendous first Test batting collapse, followed by the departure of their inspirational captain and then a spate of injuries that would’ve floored a lesser team, India still managed to win the series 2-1. Despite all the challenges, they played some skilful, entertaining cricket to beat a side renowned for its home turf prowess; it was an outstanding achievement by an irrepressible bunch of competitors.

Daunting task 

The game is going to require a similar dose of resilience as it continues to face a number of searching challenges. Currently, administrators and players in the IPL are encountering a daunting task as COVID cases in India continue to surge.

For the players, there is the fear of serious health issues and the challenge of bubble fatigue. The administrators on the other hand, have the enormous responsibility of keeping everybody safe, while weaving their way through a maze of rigorous protocols that can change daily. Is it any wonder that mental health concerns are on the tip of everybody’s tongue.

Once the IPL is completed, hopefully without any major setbacks, there’s the challenge for England’s administrators to repeat last summer’s juggling act of hosting two touring teams for a series of matches. Having survived last season’s resource-draining season with virtually no crowds to boost gate takings, they now face the challenge of hosting India, a country that is currently designated a red zone.

This means that all the players visiting England from India are going to face strict quarantine hurdles before being able to play cricket. As well as the Indian squad, these regulations will also apply to New Zealand and England players who have been in the IPL. It will be a severe test of the administrators’ diplomatic skills and the players’ patience. While the BCCI has the resources to withstand a severe financial buffeting, the ECB will be stretched to the limit if yet another season becomes a financial drain. England’s resources will be further stretched as they’ve made a heavy investment in a new form of the game.

The One Hundred is due to be launched this season. Surely there couldn’t be more challenging circumstances for a Board trying to promote a new tournament to a public that already possesses a healthy dose of skepticism.

Big match in England

As if those weren’t enough challenges to be faced, there’s another debutant—the World Test Championship final—to be played in England, which involves India and New Zealand.

Then there’s the World T20 event to be staged in India later in the year. Hosting this multi-country tournament will present a challenge only surpassed by Japan trying to accommodate the Olympics as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten its citizens.

In the midst of all these challenges there’s further turmoil with the administrative upheaval occurring in South Africa, one of the stronger playing nations. The game can’t afford another West Indies-style slide into mediocrity—certainly at Test level—from one of its major drawing nations.

If cricket administrators and players thought last year was a severe test, it’s proving to be just a rehearsal for what has to be the game’s most challenging 12 months.

It is said; “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” 

That being the case, if this year’s challenges are overcome, it could indeed strengthen the game but it won’t happen by luck. It will require much thought and some long-term planning, combined with a strong dose of resilience.

Test cricket, which often appears to be teetering on the edge of a precipice, is the form of the game that needs the most nurturing in these challenging times. It would help the process if India and New Zealand provide an entertaining spectacle at the final of the World Test Championship.

If only half those challenges are successfully met it will be a triumph born from resilience and creativity.

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