ICC opens its archives for fans amid COVID-19 pandemic
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made its entire archive of matches available, providing fans with an opportunity to relive some of the greatest cricketing moments. This archive will let fans view India's World Cup triumphs so as to help them during the lockdown caused by COVID-19.
All ICC events dating back to 1975, including the men's and women's ODI and T20 World Cups, the Champions Trophy as well as the U19 World Cups have been made available to its broadcast partners. The move will enable fans around the world to watch memorable cricket matches, highlights and ICC films at a time live sports stands disrupted. ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said that with no live cricket to unite the fans around the world they thought the next best thing would be to release the archive for fans to enjoy some magnificent memories.
"We are facing unprecedented times as a sports industry and the need to connect with our fan communities is perhaps greater than ever. With no live cricket to unite our fans around the world, we thought the next best thing would be to release our archive to broadcast partners so fans can enjoy some magnificent memories," said Manu Sawhney, as reported by The Times Of India.
Match highlights and tournament recaps will also be delivered through ICC social channels and the ICC website and mobile app and fans can get involved and vote on the memories they want to see from the ICC archive. Additionally, fans can join in the fun via Watch Parties on the ICC Facebook page where some of the most iconic games in the history of the sport will be replayed.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak has claimed over 24,000 lives and infected more than 500,000 people world over. The pandemic has caused the world to come to a virtual standstill.
Sports calendars have been shredded with the governments across the globe emphasising the need for social-distancing. Manu Sawhney said that they hope this move will help their broadcast partners replace cancelled sports fixtures with some highly engaging content for the fans while everybody stays home.
"We hope this move will help our broadcast partners replace cancelled sports fixtures with some highly engaging content and give cricket fans the opportunity to relive some of the great cricketing moments whilst we all stay at home," Sawhney said.
