2024 T20 World Cup reportedly set to be moved out of USA due to lack of infrastructure development 

If the global cricket governing body feels these venues in the USA are not ready to host a World Cup match, ICC might ask England to host the mega event.


2024 T20 World Cup reportedly set to be moved out of USA due to lack of infrastructure development 

T20 World Cup trophy

The 2024 T20 World Cup, which is set to be staged in the West Indies and the USA can be moved out of the two nations as International Cricket Council (ICC) looks unsatisfied with the infrastructure in place. Although there is one more year before the tournament is played, USA Cricket authorities race against time to ready the venues for the marquee event.

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If the global cricket governing body feels these venues in the USA are not ready to host a World Cup match, ICC might ask England to host the mega event. A recent report in this regard claimed that administrators in the USA Cricket Board are themselves not convinced if the infrastructure in place is ready to host an event like the T20 World Cup. 

Although ICC has asked the USA to prepare modular venues, the cricket board in the country feels there are not enough resources. In such a scenario, ICC will be compelled to ask England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to swap the hosting rights with Cricket West Indies (CWI). Notably, ECB along with Ireland and Scotland is set to host the 2030 T20 World Cup. 

“There is a situation at hand. The current infrastructure situation in the USA is not very encouraging and it is likely that the ICC could well swap the hosts for the 2024 and 2030 editions of the event. It will also allow USA Cricket to get the infrastructure in order before 2030 and allow them to set the house in order too,” News18 Cricketnext quoted a source tracking developments from close quarters.

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“Right now, it will be a rushed process to get the venues ready. England were already allotted the 2030 World Cup and they, unlike other nations, can host an event in June-July.”

What are the problems USA is facing?

florida cricket stadium
Florida Stadium

There are major roadblocks for the USA cricket board which is yet to get a Full Member tag from the ICC. There are not enough venues in the country to host a tournament like the T20 World Cup. The module suggested by the ICC- to convert bigger parks into stadiums is not feasible as it might not meet the standards set by the ICC for a World Cup match-ready venue. A former USA administrator pointed out these hurdles while talking to Cricketnext.

“Where will you host it? I can tell you that the ICC site visits which happened recently, many parks, free spaces with some green cover to be precise, were being explored to have a modular set-up in place for the World Cup. Modular stands and everything else also modular in nature. But it’s going to be one hell of a task to even pull that off and even if they do, not entirely sure whether it would meet ICC standards. There are lot of ICC checklists for a venue and I highly doubt the modular or the makeshift venues will make the cut,” said the administrator.

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The former interim chairman of USA cricket Atul Rai also highlighted the same issue. “Not really. I don’t think so. Not where we stand right now. But then again ICC has to make the final call. But without proper infrastructure, nothing is going to happen. We don’t have any existing facilities so it’s up to the ICC whether they will invest money in some makeshift venue and even host some games. But it’s a very tough situation, to be honest,” said Rai.

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