Sir Vivian Richards said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will have to provide answers on the confusion over the Champions Trophy schedule with both Australia and South Africa having to fly to Dubai in order to know who they’ll face in the respective semifinals. Australia flew to Dubai from Karachi late Friday night after their match against Afghanistan was washed out, a result that guaranteed them a semifinal berth. South Africa drubbed England by seven wickets to swell their points tally to five and boarded the Dubai-bound flight as toppers of Group B.
This was due to India playing all their matches in Dubai and their match against New Zealand on Sunday will decide whether Australia face them in the semis or if South Africa will take them on. The team which do not play India in the semis as well New Zealand will have to fly back to Pakistan
“People may have a point when they say that. I guess that’s due to politics — I don’t want to get into the politic side of things,” Richards said.
“But I believe the people who are responsible, in terms of the governing and the ruling of the game in itself which is the ICC, they’re the ones who I think got the problem. I would like them to come up with an answer, why? If they are the governing body of cricket, why is that happening at present? I honestly believe one of the things that can bring all of us together, fans and everyone, even enemies together, (is) sports,” he said.
With India playing all their matches of the competition in Dubai, the final will also be at the Dubai International Stadium provided Rohit Sharma’s team makes the summit clash.
Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton had also recently said India have the advantage of not having to travel to the other venues.
(With agency inputs)
