England coach Jon Lewis expressed frustration over the disparity in training facilities after his team’s early exit from the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. Jon Lewis also criticized the ICC for allowing India to practice on the field Sharjah’s main team while the other teams were restricted to the ICC Academy.
England suffered a defeat against the West Indies in their final group stage match, leading to their elimination from the World T20. Notably, it was the first time the inaugural champions failed to qualify for the semi-finals since the 2010 tournament, breaking a streak of seven consecutive knockout stages.
The team led by Heather Knight came to the tournament as one of the contenders for the title. They lived up to expectations by winning three consecutive matches at the event. However, they lost to the West Indies by six wickets in their last league. The Windies and South Africa have higher NRRs than England.
Nobody has had the opportunity to train – Jon Lewis
Jon Lewis charged that India got an unfair advantage in training facilities for the 2024 World Cup. Lewis said neither team had the opportunity to train at the Dubai International Stadium. He added that England had to practice near the academy.
“No one has had the opportunity to train here (Dubai International Stadium). We have been training at the ICC Academy down the road,” Jon Lewis said after England’s elimination via Wisden.
I didn’t know they did that – Jon Lewis
All ten teams prepared for the event at the ICC Academy, but India and Scotland had the opportunity to train at the main ground at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. India practiced there after playing its first three matches at other venues. Lewis expressed surprise and questioned the fairness of the situation.
“I didn’t know they did that. I didn’t know. India can pretty much do whatever it wants, right? Is that how it works?” -Lewis replied-.
India lost to Australia by nine runs in their last match of the league stage. They failed to qualify for the semi-finals after winning only two matches. They finished third in their group with only four points.
India also did not practice sessions at the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand and the West Indies are scheduled for a training session on October 17, in preparation for their semi-final on October 18. Meanwhile, Australia and South Africa will compete in the first semi-final in Dubai on Thursday.
All other teams had a chance – ICC Spokesperson
The ICC claimed that only India sought permission to train in Sharjah, which was available to all teams. An ICC spokesperson confirmed that all teams had the opportunity to train there.
“All other teams were given the opportunity to train in Sharjah,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPN Cricinfo.
There are three games, including the two semifinals and the final of the tournament. Sharjah will host the second semi-final, while Dubai will host the remaining matches of the main event.
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