The South African women’s cricket team skipper, Dane van Niekerk was quite discouraged not to make it to the finals of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, as they lost their semi-final match to the hosts. The Proteas were chasing 98 off 13 overs as the game was reduced after rain intervention and South Africa choked by 5 runs via D/L method.
Australia qualified for the final, where they will be facing India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 8 aiming to defend their title. It will be happening for the first time that the Women’s T20 World Cup is being held as a standalone event, separate from the Men’s event.
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The ICC is hoping to fill up the MCG for a women’s sporting event and break some records. The current record of 90,185 was set at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final held at the Rose Bowl in the USA.
On the other hand, Niekerk made a controversial comment after losing the semi-final. England captain Heather Knight criticized the lack of reserve day for semi-final matches in the event. Van Niekerk seemed to support Knight and mentioned that “I’d rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup final.”
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The Women in Blue’s semi-final, which was played before the second semi-final at the SCG, was rained out without even the toss happening, against England, resulting in India qualifying to the final for having more points in the group stage. India had won all of their league matches, while England had lost their first match and hence was eliminated.
Dané Van Niekerk at the press conference:
“I’d rather lose than get a free pass into a World Cup final”
This was sheer CLASS. #T20WorldCup
— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) March 5, 2020
This statement didn’t go down well with Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle, who reacted to Niekerk’s comment for her words and mentioned, “Except that it isn’t your choice whether to play or get a free pass! And it isn’t really a free pass but a qualification for playing well in the group stage.”
Except that it isn't your choice whether to play or get a free pass! And it isn't really a free pass but a qualification for playing well in the group stage. https://t.co/VSA9n61wJd
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2020
India had made it into the finals for the first time in their seventh attempt in the T20 World Cup and will be meeting Australia on March 8, which is also International Women’s Day.
