Reserve days for semi-finals in Men’s T20 World Cup could be a possibility

The semi-final washout between India and England at the Women’s T20 World Cup held in Australia earlier this month had many calling for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to bring reserve days for the knockout games. The other semi-final between hosts Australia and South Africa was a truncated affair as the home side won the game and then went on to beat India on March 8 – International Women’s Day – at the iconic MCG.

In light of this, another big-ticket event of 2020, Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia from October 24 to November 15, could have reserve days for the semifinals, as Cricket Australia would be pushing for the change, according to reports.

Kevin Roberts, Cricket Australia CEO, told cricket.com.au, “There’s always cause for reflection at the end of any tournament or any season, in terms of how you approach future tournaments. 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.”

Would it be changed? ICC meeting might have the answers later this year

There were many voices of disappointment after the India-England semifinal was called off and India was handed a walk over to the final on the basis of topping their league table in group matches. Former England captain Michael Vaughan had tweeted, “No reserve day for World Cup semi-finals…What a shambles.” Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop had tweeted, “In future, all boards need to ensure they flag issues before signing off on all tournaments.”

It is to be noted that last year in the Men’s 50-over World Cup held in England, ICC had reserve days for the semis and final. India was knocked out by New Zealand after the match had stretched to reserve day due to rain.

The Cricket Committee of the ICC will meet later in the year to discuss the playing rules for the tournament and as such cricket board members of the playing nations can press for the desired changes. However, Roberts also cleared that the playing conditions for Men’s and Women’s tournaments are same and any change in it could only be discussed after the end of both the competitions.

“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,” Roberts said.