ICC Women T20I World Cup 2020: ICC Turns Down Cricket Australia's Request To Have Reserve Day For Semi-Finals

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down the request of Cricket Australia (CA), to have a reserve day for the semifinal games in the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2020. The apex body stated that playing conditions cannot be altered, especially, in such big contests.

England would lock horns with India, while Australia will clash against South Africa in the semi-finals on Thursday at Sydney.

However, heavy rain is predicted on the day, and if both matches don’t take place, then India and South Africa would progress to the finals.

I don’t think it’s time to tinker: Kevin Roberts

Revealing the same to media, CA chief executive Kevin Roberts on Wednesday revealed that the request was made to the apex cricketing body, but the ICC declined, saying that the playing conditions cannot be altered.

“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,” ESPN Cricinfo 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.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Rain to play spoilsport?

Wet weather threatens to spoil Australia’s chances of advancing to Sunday’s final at the MCG. If Australia and South Africa cannot bowl 10 overs each at the SCG on Thursday, the African nation will qualify for their first T20 World Cup final.

The ICC has come under fire for not having reserve days for major events, and there are no reserve days for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup later this year as well.