Sir Vivian Richards has questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the confusion surrounding the Champions Trophy schedule, which forced both Australia and South Africa to fly to Dubai without knowing their semifinal opponents.
Australia had to fly to Dubai from Karachi late Friday night after their game against Afghanistan was washed out, securing their spot in the semifinals. Meanwhile, South Africa cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over England, topping Group B with five points and also heading to Dubai.
The confusion stems from India playing all their matches in Dubai, meaning Sunday’s clash between India and New Zealand will determine the semifinal line-ups. Depending on the result, either Australia or South Africa will face India in the semis, while the other team will have to fly back to Pakistan to face New Zealand.
Richards called the situation “avoidable” and urged the ICC to provide clarity, emphasising that better scheduling could have spared the teams unnecessary travel and uncertainty.
“People may have a point when they say that. I guess that’s due to politics — I don’t want to get into the political 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.
Since India is playing all their matches in Dubai, the final is also set to take place at the Dubai International Stadium — but only if Rohit Sharma and his team manage to reach the title clash.