‘India can pretty much do what they like’ - Jon Lewis points out training facility bias in UAE

England women’s head coach Jon Lewis recently came forward and talked about the evident bias when it comes to the training facilities in the UAE during the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. He took centre stage and lambasted the organisers for letting the Indian team practice on the centre wicket in Sharjah. 

Pointing out the bias towards team India, he revealed that the side was allowed to practice in Sharjah, whereas the other teams had to prepare at the ICC academy. It is worth noting that England lost a game to the West Indies in their final group stage game, which saw them being eliminated from the group stages.

It was the net run rate that proved to be England’s doom; the side finished in third place in Group B with three wins and one loss in four matches, but due to their inferior run rate, South Africa and the West Indies went through to the knockout stages of the tournament. The first semi-final of the competition will be played between Australia and South Africa, whereas New Zealand will face the West Indies in the second semi-final.

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"No one's had an opportunity to train here (Dubai International Stadium). We've been training in the ICC Academy down the road. I didn't know they did that. I didn't know. India can pretty much do what they like, can't they? Is that how it works?” Lewis was quoted as saying by Wisden.

All teams had opportunity of training in Sharjah: ICC Official

Interestingly, all 10 sides had been using the ICC facilities for practice. As per reports, Scotland and India had taken up the opportunity to train at the main wicket at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. Seeing Lewis’ comments, an ICC spokesperson came forward and gave his take on the comments. He revealed every single participating team in the tournament had the chance of practicing on the main ground.

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"All other teams had the opportunity of training in Sharjah," an ICC official was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.