Cricket Australia can try argue for an additional day to be used as reserve in the semi-finals in the men’s T20 World Cup scheduled later this year. The Women’s World Cup in the country earlier this year, invited criticism for lack of reserve days for the semi-finals where the India – England game was abandoned forcing the Poms out of the tournament.
The current ICC’s playing conditions will have no reserve days for the semi-finals of the men’s T20 World Cup. The semi-finals in Sydney (November 11) and Adelaide (November 12) have no reserve days before the final at the MCG on November 15.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed to Cricket.com.au that the playing conditions will be similar for men’s and women’s game. However, he added that a meeting is scheduled mid-year where playing conditions could come under discussion again before they are sogned by ICC’s Chief Executives Committee.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Kevin Roberts, who is set to be part of that meeting, thinks there is a chance for the inclusion of reserve days for the semis of this tournament.
“There’s always cause for reflection at the end of any tournament or any season, in terms of how you approach future tournaments,” Roberts told cricket.com.au. “In saying that, there will be people who suggest there should be semi-final reserve days for the men’s.”
“But I’m not sure how the English women’s team would feel about that, not having had a reserve day in their leg of the tournament. I would imagine the playing conditions are in place for the women’s and men’s events within this tournament (in 2020) and can be discussed and considered after that’s completed.”
“Typically, the playing conditions are determined before a tournament starts and we’ve got two events here – women’s and men’s – within the one tournament, albeit staged at different times of the year.”