Cricket Australia calls off Under-19 National Championships 2020-21

Cricket Australia has announced that the Under-19 National Championships 2020-21 that was scheduled to happen in April has been called off due to health and player welfare reasons. The Championship will return next season in December 2021.



The decision to postpone the tournament has been made under the guidance of the CA Bio-Security Policy Group and Australian Cricket Medical Group and is supported by all State and Territory Associations.



Cricket Australia National Talent and Pathways Manager, Graham Manou, said that they could not be certain that players and staff would not be separated from family, work or school for extended periods due to the possible border and quarantine restrictions and current situation of the COVID pandemic in Australia.



“This is particularly important for players in the Under 19 age group, many of whom would be undertaking year 12 studies. Despite the disappointment of the Under 19 National Championships not being held this season, we are very much looking forward to working with the State and Territory Associations to provide more assistance to the groups who were due to take part," he said.



Shawn Flegler, the Cricket Australia Female High Performance Manager, said that although they are disappointed about not holding the Under 19 National Championships, they are committed to minimising any negative impacts it could have on this group of players.



He said that the wellbeing of our staff and players was the basis of the decision, adding, "CA and all the State and Territory bodies feel it’s a decision which is in the best interests of everyone involved.”



“We’ve got an incredibly exciting group of players coming through in the Under 19 age bracket, and despite the National Championships not going ahead this season, we’re identifying opportunities to provide a different kind of support to this group of players,” he concluded.



The inaugural edition of the ICC Under-19 Women's Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in December 2021.