Bermuda’s ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier in Canada in July has been postponed because of Covid-19, the International Cricket Council announced yesterday.

Bermuda was due to compete against Canada, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Panama and the USA from July 17 to 23, but the tournament has been postponed due to government travel restrictions. New dates and a venue will be confirmed.

The International Cricket Council announced that three ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifiers – pathway tournaments to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia – have been cancelled due to Covid, while one other qualifying tournament for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has been postponed.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier was two steps away from Australia.

The Asia B Qualifier, which is also two steps away from Australia 2022, and was due to be hosted in Malaysia between July 11 and 17 involving Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Thailand, has also been postponed.

That tournament is now scheduled to be played between November 9 and 15 in Malaysia. The decision was taken to postpone due to extensive quarantine requirements in Malaysia and for the visiting teams on their return to their respective countries.

The Bermuda senior team are also set to compete in the second round of the World Cup Challenge League B in Jersey from September 1 to 14 against Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya and Uganda.

The Bermuda Under-19s are due to compete in the World Cup Americas Qualifier against Argentina, Canada and hosts United States from August 18-25.

“Those two tournaments are still on the table,” Arnold Manders, the Bermuda Cricket Board president, assured. “Nothing is going on in Canada.

“Canada’s borders are closed and all their teams are competing outside of Canada, like the Canadian football team playing down in Florida.

“We’re just waiting on ICC to see what’s happening in terms of a new date and venue. It’s good for us, as it gives us more time to prepare.”

Domestic cricket, Manders revealed, is not likely to start until June, once Covid-19 restrictions are eased sufficiently. “On June 6 the gatherings go up to 25 which will allow the teams to start training,” he explained.

“We should be able to start before the end of June, then we’ll just have to revise our schedule. We just have to play it all by ear, just like Covid-19.

“Be creative, resourceful and be ready to go when we’re allowed to.”