The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the request of Cricket Australia of having a reserve day for the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Thursday will witness two vital games where India will take on England in the first semi-final while Australia are scheduled to play South Africa in the other semi-final later that day. However, the weather might play the spoil-sport in the double-header day, it could be worse where Australia and England fail to reach the final in case the games are washed out.
If either or both semis are called off, the teams that topped the group — India and South Africa will compete in the final. Cricket Australia’s chief executive Kevin Roberts on Wednesday said that their request to the ICC regarding this was declined by the apex body.
“We have asked the question and it’s not part of the playing conditions. I respect that because we have said the same thing in tournaments that we run in Australia,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Roberts as saying on the radio station SEN.
“It gives you cause to reflect on how you might improve things in the future absolutely, but going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules I don’t think it’s time to tinker with that as much as with an Australian hat on I might love that,” he added.
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However, an ICC spokesperson shared: “The ICC T20 World Cups are short sharp events where reserve days are factored in for the final. Allowing for any other reserve days would have extended the length of the event, which isn’t feasible. There is a clear and fair alternative should there be no play in any of the semi-finals with the winner of the group progressing.”
On Tuesday, the final group B games were seen washed out due to heavy rain. While only one inning could be played between Thailand and Pakistan, the next game between South Africa and West Indies was called off without even a ball being bowled. More than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the final which is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
