India Women made it to their first-ever T20 World Cup final after their semi-final tie against England Women at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was abandoned due to rain on Thursday.
Rain has been a spoil-sport a couple of times already in this year’s World Cup, with Thailand’s group stage game against Pakistan and West Indies’ tie against South Africa being abandoned. As for the semi-final, rain was indeed predicted, but the management had decided not to keep a reserve day in turn. Thus, according to the rules, winners of both the groups automatically qualify for the final showdown.
India, having won all of their group stage games, finished at the top of Group A, two points ahead of the defending champions, Australia. England, slotted in Group B, however, finished second, only a point behind South Africa.
“Frustrating, didn’t want the World Cup to end this way but not much you can do about this. Would have been good to have a reserve day perhaps. That loss to South Africa cost us. Not really, we expected to reach the semi-finals and that we did. Undone by the weather. Did feel like we had started to gain momentum in recent games, and we were really ready for this semifinal. Yes, Sarah Glenn and Sophie (Ecclestone) have been great and so has been Mady. Not starting a tournament great has been a concern, so perhaps we can work on that (smiles),” said England captain Heather Knight.
As for the fans, they were quick to remind England how they got the taste of their own medicine. Back during the 2019 Men’s World Cup, the England team were crowned champions on the back a superior boundary count (26-17) against Kane Williamson's New Zealand, something that wasn’t taken well by the fans. And now that the England Women’s team is eliminated, this is what they have to say.
Rain played spoilsport when we all wanted to witness a great match and see our girls in blue qualify to the finals ! But nonetheless , we will take this with both hands as well cannot wait for the 8th of March
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma)
England win by ICC rules and lose by ICC rules.
Peeling sad
— (@imcharanro45)
Snapshot into the ICC meeting regarding the
— CricBlog (@cric_blog)
As an indian I am absolutely thrilled india has made it to the finals . But as a cricketer I feel for the English girls . I’d never want to find myself or my team in that situation. But the rules are such and it is what it is. Congratulations girls.This is big.
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03)
England players Right now
— Not Bad (@CvaKadaikutty)
Karma bit cricket team with bad rain rules in , but it was the women's team that had to pay for the sins of the men.
Hurray for for reaching the finals of— Sanskari Bhedia (@pkg_lonewolf)
