India women’s cricket team (Getty Images)
England cricketers Kate Cross and Alex Hartley have made it clear that their criticism of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final schedule was never directed at India, saying they received abuse and even death threats after their comments were widely shared on social media.The duo addressed the issue on No Balls: The Cricket Podcast, clarifying that their original criticism was directed only at the tournament’s scheduling policy, and not the Indian team.
Cross revealed the extent of the backlash.“This post has received 450 comments. It seems there was some confusion because I don’t think what we said justified the death threats and abuse we received.”She then clarified that India was never the target of their criticism.“We would like to clarify that this has nothing to do with India. According to the ICC, the scheduling has been done to optimize viewership and attendance in the UK while also keeping in mind the global audience.”
What sparked the controversy?
The debate began after the ICC confirmed the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final schedule ahead of the knockout stage.Under the tournament rules, the top two teams from Groups A and B qualify for the semi-finals. Typically, the winners of Group A will face the runner-up of Group B in one semi-final, while the winners of Group B will face the runner-up of Group A in one semi-final.
However, there was one exception. If India qualified for the semi-finals, they would automatically play the first semi-final on 30 June, which was scheduled to start at 8:00 pm EST, a prime-time television slot for the Indian audience. The second semi-final, which begins at 12:00 a.m. EST on July 3, is more convenient for viewers in the United Kingdom, especially with the competition still taking place in host England.If India fails to qualify, the tournament will simply follow the standard knockout bracket.
What Cross and Hartley originally said
Speaking before India’s final group stage match, Kroos questioned why one team’s semi-final was scheduled in advance.“Can we talk about the fact that I saw today that if India qualify for the semi-final, they are guaranteed to play in the semi-final on Tuesday because the ICC believes that is best for them to play at the right time.”Hartley responded by pointing out that the practice is not new.“It happens in men’s cricket, women’s cricket and all World Cups.”Cross admitted that she understood the commercial reasons but thought the principle was flawed.“Everyone can plan it based on when India will play. It’s completely mental. I don’t understand how you can go to a tournament and the governing body is prioritizing one team like this. I know exactly why they are doing it, but I think it is absolutely ridiculous.”Hartley also noted that the scheduling discussion may become irrelevant if India do not reach the fourth round.“Yes, it’s bad but it looks like they might struggle to qualify anyway.”
India were out, and the schedule followed the normal format
The debate eventually became academic after India was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Australia in their final group stage match.With India failing to reach the semi-finals, the special scheduling clause was not used, and the competition reverted to the standard knockout bracket.Australia will face the West Indies in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while England will face South Africa in the second semi-final on Thursday.Following the online backlash, Cross and Hartley stressed that their criticism was directed at the ICC’s scheduling policy and not India, stressing that their comments had been misunderstood and should not have led to personal abuse or threats.