When was the last time cricket got cancelled on a global level? A lot of fans are disheartened to live this tough life without cricket. Many are shocked to realise the impact of the Covid-19. But this is definitely not the first time in the history of the cricket when the bats and pads went inside kits for such long duration.
Cricket on break
Cricket matches have been abandoned for many reasons but certainly not for this long duration. The worldwide pandemic caused by the Covid-19 has taken the world by a storm. It has already killed thousands of people with the number increasing day by day. The major world events along with the sporting ones are being cancelled daily. Even some major cricket tournaments have been cancelled for the same reason or postponed until further notice.
South Africa‘s ODI tour of India, New Zealand’s tour of Australia (one ODI played without spectators), England tour of Sri Lanka, and the postponement of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) cricket are the major ones to have impacted by this novel Coronavirus.
But this is not the first time. Rather this is just the third time since the inception of Test cricket in 1877 when the cricket matches have been cancelled like this.
World War I
During World War I, more than 210 first-class cricketers joined the ranks of the British Army to fight in the war. Other countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies also suspended first-class cricket for years.
Following is the time period when the cricket nations did not host any first-class match during World War 1-
West Indies: 14 March 1913 to 5 February 1920
England: 2 September 1914 to 12 May 1919
Australia: 19 February 1915 to 26 December 1918
New Zealand: 2 April 1915 to 25 December 1917
South Africa: 11 April 1914 to 18 October 1919
India: No break
World War II
Then came the World war II. From 1939 to 1945, once again cricket had to take rest for broader interest. Some countries hosted some matches mostly to raise funds for the war. In India once again the tournaments like Ranji and Bombay Pentangular continued without interruptions.
Following is the list when the nations took a break from cricket during World War II
England: 2 September 1939 to 18 May 1945
Australia: 2 December 1941 to 22 November 1945
India: No break-in first-class cricket
West Indies: National tournaments cancelled
South Africa: National tournaments cancelled
New Zealand: National tournaments cancelled
