Reserve days ‘not an option’

Rain could deny Australia, but ICC rejects back-up plan pleas

SCOTT BAILEY

THE ICC has rejected calls for reserve games to be used for women’s Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals, with rain threatening both of today’s matches.

Rain is forecast in Sydney and while a back-up day was available for the men in last year’s 50-over World Cup, no such proviso is made for the T20 tournament. It means both Australia and England could be knocked out without a ball bowled at the SCG.

South Africa and India would in turn play in Sunday’s final at the MCG after topping their groups.

Australian captain Meg Lanning refused to buy into the debate yesterday, but leaders of all other three teams voiced their disapproval of the situation.

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts also indicated he thought there was a case for reserve days in the future, after clarifying with the ICC that none were in place.

“It’s not part of the playing conditions and we respect that,” Roberts said on SEN. “It gives you cause to reflect and think about how you might improve things in the future.

“But going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules, I don’t think it’s time to tinker with [the rules] as much as ... I might love that.”

The ICC yesterday reasoned that was because of a short turn-around time, however, the gap between the second semi-final and the final is the same as the corresponding fixtures last year. “The ICC T20 World Cups are short, sharp events where reserve days are factored in for the final,” an ICC spokesman said.

“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.”

Officials are confident of play going ahead, after ground staff got the SCG ready for the Big Bash final following rain last month.

Regardless, England captain Heather Knight admitted yesterday that she had been left perplexed by the different rules between the tournaments.

“It’s obviously frustrating,” she said.

“It would be nice if we could maybe play it in [Melbourne before the finals], I don’t know if that’s feasible, it’s probably not.

“It is what it is, it is strange.” Both India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and South Africa skipper Dane van Niekerk also called for back-up days.