ICC's Decision Not To Schedule Reserve Day For Semis "Absolutely Absurd": Mark Waugh
After the first semi-final was abandoned, India qualified for the final by the virtue of topping their group.
Highlights
-
India reached maiden T20 World Cup final after semi-final was abandoned
-
The ICC declined request to schedule a reserve day for both the semis
-
The final is scheduled to be played at the MCG on March 8
The first semi-final of ICC Women's T20 World Cup between India and England was called off due to persistent rain in Sydney on Thursday. After the first semi-final was abandoned, India qualified for the final by the virtue of topping their group. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday declined Cricket Australia's request to schedule a reserve day for both the semi-final matches which are scheduled to be played at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). ICC's decision has not gone down well with the fans as well as the experts, despite weather forecast clearly predicting high chances of washouts in Sydney. Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh came hard at the ICC for not scheduling a reserve day for the two semi-finals in the "biggest tournament of the year". Describing the governing body's decision as "absolutely absurd", Mark Waugh said it has deprived some of the players a lifetime chance of playing in probably the biggest match of their career.
"Not as surprising as ICC not scheduling reserve days for finals in the biggest tournament of the year and possibly lifetime for many players. Absolutely absurd," Mark Waugh tweeted.
Not as surprising as ICC not scheduling reserve days for finals in the biggest tournament of the year and possibly lifetime for many players. Absolutely absurd.#commonsense
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 5, 2020
England, who finished behind South Africa in Group B, were unlucky to miss out on a chance to enter their second successive final.
The second semi-final between Australia and South Africa later in the day is also expected to have rain-delays and another washout will force defending champions Australia out of the tournament as they finished second in their group.
Fans, disappointed with the outcome of the first semi-final, expressed their frustration on the social media.
The final scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 8 will be India's maiden appearance in the summit clash in tournament's history.
India Women
England Women
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney