We have offers from Australia, New Zealand to host domestic games: ECB Chief

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison has confirmed receiving offers from Australia and New Zealand boards, helping m host ir domestic games -- county as well as List A. On Friday, ECB suspended all forms of professional cricket till July 1 due to COVID-19 outbreak which has wreaked havoc globally but more so in United Kingdom. "We've h offers as far away as Australia and New Zealand. Those offers are on table," Harrison was quoted as saying by BBC. "I haven't h anything from Abu Dhabi, but that's t to say offer hasn't been me," he ded.

'We have offers from Australia, New Zealand'

England's three-Test series against West Indies and women's two T20Is against India in June have been postponed along with delay in domestic season. This apart, around nine rounds of county games that stands cancelled at moment. Harrison said ECB was getting used to idea of hosting cricket in empty stiums.

"Inevitably, behind closed doors does change venue allocation and mindset. It goes from taking game around country to give fans a chance to see England in ir back yard. That shifts because re's -one seeing England play live at all."

"You can see what or sports are considering: allocating neutral venues for all matches and n playing in those. That's lens we're putting on this. What's minimum number of grounds we need for our desired international schedule and how to cater for that."

England were scheduled to launch inaugural edition of Hundred, a new 100 balls per side format to played by eight franchises, in July. But with latest delay in commencement of game, tournament may be pushed back. However, ECB chief insisted that tournament could provide important commercial value and generate interest in game in times of crisis. "I don't think this in any way dilutes case for Hundred. It absolutely accelerates it and makes it something cricket needs to get behind," he said. "If anything, this crisis and implication long term or medium term, case for Hundred is even more important. It will generate really important commercial value for game and it will help broen audience." 

Im credits: AP