New Zealand accepts ICC's decision to postpone Women's ODI World Cup

The International Cricket Council delivered a verdict on Friday to reschedule the Women's ODI World Cup to 2022, which was originally scheduled to take place in 2021. 

New Zealand Sports Minister, Grant Robertson, sharing his views on the verdict, said that it's certainly disappointing for the players and the cricket enthusiasts across the globe. "This is obviously a disappointing decision for cricket players and fans around the world," Robertson was quoted as saying in a statement on Saturday. 

However, Robertson believes that the organising committee will continue to work in close liaison with the government to guarantee smooth conduct of the pinnacle tournament. 

"The organising committee in New Zealand has been working with the government to ensure a safe and enjoyable tournament could be played. We could have done it in 2021, but now we will look to 2022. As a government, we have reiterated our commitment to supporting the tournament."

In compliance with the decision, the Chief Executive Officer of the local organizing committee, Andrea Nelson, stated that the health and well-being of the players are of the utmost importance in these trying circumstances. 

"What we're all about is staging the best possible World Cup. When you look at the situation around the world and the ability for teams to qualify and train and compete in what has to be their pinnacle event, delaying it a year just makes sense to have the best possible product. We're dealing with a pretty unprecedented global time but it is the right thing for cricket,” Andrea Nelson told BBC Radio. 

[With inputs from Reuters]