'Incredibly poor': Aussies under threat in 'ludicrous' World Cup farce
Australia need to benefit from a healthy dose of luck as inclement weather threatens to bring an end to their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Luck hasn’t smiled on the Australian team this tournament, with the home team losing superstar Elysse Perry to a hamstring injury.
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Now, forecast rain in Sydney for Thursday’s semi-final has put the Australians’ tournament hopes in jeopardy.
Scheduled to play either England or South Africa for a shot at the grand final, no reserve day has been allocated for Thursday’s semi-final.
The failure to schedule a reserve day was described as ‘amateur hour’ by some on social media.
The group winners would progress to the grand final at the MCG under tournament rules - meaning if Australia is to face India, they will be knocked out.
India finished ahead of Australia in the group stages.
Australia’s “acceptable” loss to India in the first game could become “unacceptable” very quickly if the weather turns...
Ludicrous that there is no reserve day for a World Cup #T20WorldCup https://t.co/BEjGziyVZw— Liam Flanagan (@ljflannas) March 2, 2020
Absolute hole of a city. Really needs to just get in the bin. Imagine having the whole ‘world’s biggest crowd for women’s sporting event’ thing put in jeopardy because no one organised a reserve day for a semi in wet Sydney. Amateur hour again
— Matt Swannie (@mattswannie) March 2, 2020
Two things that seem odd recently in the Women’s T20 World Cup. (1) Why would Australia play New Zealand on a Monday afternoon? (2) Why would there not be a reserve day for the World Cup semi-finals?
— Adam White (@White_Adam) March 2, 2020
No reserve day for the #WT20WC semi finals and there's an 80% chance of rain on Thursday afternoon and evening but only a 40% chance of showers on Friday. That is incredibly poor planning. #bullshit
— Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside) March 2, 2020
A minimum of 10 overs are required in each batting innings for a legitimate game, making rain delays harder to fit in.
World Cup CEO Nick Hockley is hoping that weather doesn't intervene.
"The cricket and the weather are things we can't control," Hockley told SEN.
"We've just got our fingers crossed we can get a full game away.
"It's 10 overs a side for a semi-final to constitute a match.
"It's why finishing positions in the pool can be important.
"Fingers crossed it doesn't come down to that."
Ellyse Perry ruled out of World Cup, South African tour
A shattered Perry hobbled off Melbourne's Junction Oval with a hamstring injury in Monday's win over New Zealand which put Australia into the semi-finals and team doctor Pip Inge says it's a high-grade strain that will also rule her out of the tour to South Africa later this month.
Coach Matthew Mott says Perry will remain with Australia's 15-player World Cup squad, with no changes to be made for Thursday's semi-final against England or South Africa at the SCG.
Perry overcame an injury cloud to take part in the match against New Zealand, making a quick-fire 21 runs (off 15 balls) with the bat to help Australia to 5-155 off their 20 overs.
The allrounder's injury curse struck again though in the field as she tried to effect a run-out from a quick New Zealand single.
WITH AAP
