The fate of October's Twenty20 Cricket World Cup is set to be decided in coming weeks.
Sources have told Newshub that a decision on whether the tournament goes ahead as scheduled in October is expected to be made when the ICC meets early next month.
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead has offered his view on a key factor to be considered by the game's decision-makers.
"I think all players and people involved want to have crowds back, but they want to do it when it's safe as well," Stead has told Newshub.
"This pandemic's obviously ripped apart places in the world and we don't want to go back to that, but I know from speaking to the players, their preference is to be playing in front of crowds whenever it is possible.
"We just have to prepare for both eventualities."
Across the Tasman, cricket bosses are reportedly resigned to the likelihood the tournament won't go ahead as scheduled.
Stead appears to suggest the global showpiece will be shifted to February.
"I'm sure the T20 world cup tournament will happen at some stage, it may just be delayed by a couple of months."
On Monday, leading Blackcaps players reportedly met with NZ Cricket officials for an update on continuing talks about a post-coronavirus cricket calendar.
The Indian Premier League is expected to fill the void in October, with contracted Kiwis taking part, if border restrictions allow.
For the rest, an earlier domestic Super Smash tournament is on the cards, with talks continuing over a home-and-away series with Australia and a tri-series with England.
Those plans hinge on the T20 World Cup, with all to be revealed early next month.
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